Western Electric 300 series with Stars?

[RDPipes]

I purchased a WE 300 series telephone circa 1940's a while ago that has 3 Stars stamped on it's base and was wondering what in tarnation are they for? Anyone know?

[poplar1]

It was refurbished by Hallmark House, located in Springfield, MA.

This company ran ads in each issue of Telephony and Telephone Engineering and Management magazines, offering to buy "off the lines" phones to export.

"Export" in reality was not overseas, rather, it was 90 miles down the Mass.
Turnpike to the Radio Shack warehouse in Braintree, MA.

[RDPipes]

It was refurbished by Hallmark House, located in Springfield, MA.

This company ran ads in each issue of Telephony and Telephone Engineering and Management magazines, offering to buy "off the lines" phones to export.

"Export" in reality was not overseas, rather, it was 90 miles down the Mass.
Turnpike to the Radio Shack warehouse in Braintree, MA.

Thank you Dave, that's pretty comical, I reckon I can say I "Imported" the phone from New York then, LOL!
And by the way, this is the 302AC "Lift Plunger to Dial or Talk" phone I destroyed the print on trying to remove
what was left of the chipping black paint that was on cradle. 

[Doug Rose]

It was refurbished by Hallmark House, located in Springfield, MA.

Really good info David! Right here in MA.......Doug

[paul-f]

Read more of Dave's posts about his experiences by searching the forum for "Hallmark House."

[TelePlay]

"Hallmark House"

Was that the same refurb shop that put 1 white star on the bottom or was that another facility?

[david@london]

I remember reading about The Black Panther Trading Co...apparently the same outfit?

Forum link

[poplar1]

Yes, same place

[poplar1]

Was that the same refurb shop that put 1 white star on the bottom or was that another facility?

Same. Rubber stamp. Add ink to the ink pad as needed.

[FABphones]

Bizarre choice but I guess it made them distinctive and years later remembered by being easy to see who did a refurb.

Why two trading names?

[FABphones]

...I wonder if the number of stamps indicates the line worker who did the refurb. That may account for the irregularity of the stamps.