Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => Topic started by: Doug Rose on February 14, 2010, 09:42:33 AM

Title: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 14, 2010, 09:42:33 AM
Collectors....I watched this last week, it was listed at $50 and got no takers. I saw it re-listed this morning for a BIN for $30 and I went for it. It was advertised as black, but it sure looks to be mottled brown from the one and only picture. I have never seen a bakelite (broken) finger wheel, unless it was a color and not black. I assume you all saw it last week, so what are you opinions. Black (and I lost my gamble) or mottled brown and I hit big time. Your opinions???...Doug
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dan on February 14, 2010, 10:22:28 AM
I'm guessing brown, and I'm pulling for ya.
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 14, 2010, 10:37:33 AM
Doug, that does look brown.  I didn't know that the finger wheels were Bakelite on the colored models.  I'd say you're going to be happy when that arrives.  Too bad about the broken finger wheel. 
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: stub on February 14, 2010, 10:52:17 AM
 Doug,
            Hope it's brown!!!!!!!!!!!!  stub
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: JorgeAmely on February 14, 2010, 12:08:26 PM
Doug:

Mine has a wheel just like that, but I believe it is made of plastic (Tenite?). Perhaps Steve from AZ,  can get you a replacement.

I hope it has a brown housing.  ;D
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dan/Panther on February 14, 2010, 02:17:44 PM
Sure looks mottled brown to me, why didn't you post the  llink before the auction ended so we all could of had a shot at it  ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
D/P
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 14, 2010, 06:25:45 PM
D/P..... Now why didn't I think of that! I'll be happy to share pieces of the finger wheel....Kidphone
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Jim Stettler on February 14, 2010, 07:21:02 PM
Quote from: Kidphone on February 14, 2010, 09:42:33 AM
Collectors....I watched this last week, it was listed at $50 and got no takers. I saw it re-listed this morning for a BIN for $30 and I went for it. It was advertised as black, but it sure looks to be mottled brown from the one and only picture. I have never seen a bakelite (broken) finger wheel, unless it was a color and not black. I assume you all saw it last week, so what are you opinions. Black (and I lost my gamble) or mottled brown and I hit big time. Your opinions???...Doug
Looks brown to me, I have had a black  with the same FW damage. The photo definently looks brown. Great find.
Jim
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dan/Panther on February 14, 2010, 08:38:24 PM
Doug;
I think I have the pieces missing from yours !
D/P ;D
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Craig T on February 14, 2010, 10:56:06 PM
Looks like Kidphone is the fastest draw this side of the Mississippi once again! Great find!
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 18, 2010, 05:41:44 PM
Quote from: Craig T on February 14, 2010, 10:56:06 PM
Looks like Kidphone is the fastest draw this side of the Mississippi once again! Great find!
Not fast at all....Its BLACK!! It is the correct phone in the pictures. Heavy sigh. Some times you bite the bear, sometimes the bear bites you. ....Doug
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 18, 2010, 07:57:01 PM
On the positive side it has the coolest dial I have ever heard. It is really different, more like a ping sound. The Doctor of Dials in Az is sending me a fingerwheel (what a guy!!) and I'll try to bring it back to life. After all, we are saving old phones, one phone at a time. We are doing a service for history. Its just not mottled brown. Big boys don't cry........ they sulk.....Doug
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dan/Panther on February 18, 2010, 08:08:50 PM
Doug;
looking at the photo, and now knowing it's black, I can see the red and blue artifacts in the photo, usually from adjusting the contrast and brightness of a photo, which it seems gave it the mottled look.
Well at least it will be spared a certain death.
D/P
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dan/Panther on February 18, 2010, 08:16:59 PM
I reversed the enhancement used for the auction.
D/P
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Wallphone on February 18, 2010, 10:15:06 PM
Doug,
You said the dial makes a "ping" sound.
Is that from pieces of the finger wheel flying off and bouncing off of things?  ;D
Dougpav
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 19, 2010, 08:39:21 AM
D/P....that is exactly how the phone looks......bummer...

Dougpav...I hope not! I didn't open the phone. Its just a really unusual sound, very smooth. I'll try to get this puppy working, but I don't have a lot of experiences with the Norths....Doug
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 21, 2010, 10:52:09 AM
Well...here is the finished product, no its not mottled brown, but its a really nice black North Galion dated 3/45. These were made mostly of WE parts. This was a WWII phone, It is in working condition and even had the schematic still attached. Thanks to the Steve from AZ, I have a new finger wheel for it. Gamble LOST, but a really nice phone has been save from the trash....Doug
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Craig T on February 21, 2010, 01:33:44 PM
That turned out great Doug, nice job sticking with it. The original paperwork inside is a major bonus!
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 21, 2010, 01:50:21 PM
Very nice, Doug.  Is that a metal housing or Bakelite?  The early ones were metal.  I  don't think I've seen one this early.  Very nice.
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: McHeath on February 21, 2010, 01:52:09 PM
Excellent job.  That paper label inside is pretty cool as well, wonder exactly why it was only for desk type phone?
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 22, 2010, 11:27:02 AM
Dennis...Its a bakelite housing that shined up really nice. Dated 3/45, North made phones for signal corps for WWII, but my best guess, this looks like it was non military....Doug
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 22, 2010, 11:34:25 AM
Doug, one more question....

The dial card retainer---Is that one of those covers that slips over the normal ring or is that one a one-piece ring?  It looks higher that the rest and very much like those covers that fit over the ones that left the factory.

The ones I'm talking about are seen in this thread.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=580.15
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dan/Panther on February 22, 2010, 12:47:31 PM
Dennis;
That is the normal dial card retainer ring. It snaps over the screwed on holder under it.

Dan
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: JorgeAmely on February 22, 2010, 01:06:21 PM
Doug:

Is the label glued over the capacitor or does it flip over to reveal the schematic diagram of the phone?

Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 22, 2010, 02:02:37 PM
Thanks Dan/P, I guess I've never seen that set up.  That must be an original North dial as opposed to the AE's that they often put in them.
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: JorgeAmely on February 22, 2010, 02:33:30 PM
Dennis:

That is an original North dial which is very thin and uses a flat steel ribbon as a spring. Featured also in the North 541 model.

Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 22, 2010, 04:07:41 PM
Quote from: JorgeAmely on February 22, 2010, 01:06:21 PM
Doug:

Is the label glued over the capacitor or does it flip over to reveal the schematic diagram of the phone?


It flips open.....Doug
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: finlover on February 22, 2010, 10:16:31 PM
What a beautiful example!  You did a terrific job restoring it.  I really like the early numbers only dial.  When you first posted the auction photo, I almost gave my opinion that it was black, but I didn't want to burst your bubble.  Next time I won't hold back.  Still, I'm glad you rescued it.  It couldn't have gone to a better home! :)
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 23, 2010, 12:38:02 PM
Greg....I was hoping against hope. I wasn't convinced it was brown and it wasn't a huge shock. Disappointment? Hell yes!! Unfortunately their is no space in the phone room. I have a beautiful metal north with original paint  that isn't going anywhere, so this might have to go back to where I found it....Doug
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: LarryInMichigan on February 23, 2010, 12:42:59 PM
Doug,

I might be able to find a spot for it :)

Larry
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Greg G. on February 26, 2010, 03:35:08 AM
Quote from: Kidphone on February 23, 2010, 12:38:02 PM
Greg....I was hoping against hope. I wasn't convinced it was brown and it wasn't a huge shock. Disappointment? Hell yes!! Unfortunately their is no space in the phone room. I have a beautiful metal north with original paint  that isn't going anywhere, so this might have to go back to where I found it....Doug

Can't you just put another addition on your house for more phones?
Title: Re: eBay Gamble
Post by: Doug Rose on February 26, 2010, 08:52:03 AM
Actually....ten years ago when we expanded up on our house, we put a huge master bedroom with bath and walk in closet. Since all the kid's were gone or in college, we (I) decided that one bedroom would be my phone phone. During construction the guys really got into how the room should look. With my guidance, they built great shelves and display areas. So in answer to your question, NO...my wife would kill me. She says she tolerates my phone room, but it always seems to be the first room shown to people who have never been in our home before.....Doug