GPO World War 2 Scrambler Telephone Tele 396.

[david@london]

This WWII scrambler GPO 396 has just sold for a hefty price- £1117.77.
It has the additional scrambler/frequency changer black box.
I found some good info on this at the Crypto Museum site:

https://www.cryptomuseum.com/crypto/uk/secraphone/index.htm

ebay link

"Item from the private collection of a retired BT engineer. Item was actually loaned to BT for an exhibition of telephones through the decades back in the late 1980s, still have the exhibit card if of interest to the buyer. This is a really historic item and is suitable for the best telephone collectors out there. Any questions please shout."

[FABphones]

My guess, the money is in the wall box. Unfortunately once again no photos of the inside where we really need to see.

Unlikely no one asked for inner photos so maybe another example of a seller unwilling to add more informative (or not) photos.

The handsets on these were one complete colour. Unusual here that the component that breaks first seems to have lasted longest.

Still, nice markings to base of phone. I can't quite make out the factory code or year on the handset though.

[Jim Stettler]

What else did they use those top buttons for. I have a white set with similar buttons from the Florida show.
Jim

[Jack Ryan]

I can't quite make out the factory code or year on the handset though.

Looks like Siemens '59

Jack

[Jack Ryan]

What else did they use those top buttons for. I have a white set with similar buttons from the Florida show.
Jim

Button labels: http://www.samhallas.co.uk/repository/n_diagrams/0000/N620.pdf

Jack

[Jim Stettler]

Thanks Jack,
I was thinking mine didn't have a tag, I checked and I have AD bell on/ Bell Off.
I am surprised at the large number of different tags, I am more surprised with how fast you posted the list.

In theory  need another switch assembly for mine, the left button was missing and someone added a screw to" fool the eye". I have never opened it and If it shrinks like some plastics, I may not be able to swap out the switch.
Also I am kinda lazy and prefer to get replacement parts , but not replace them, but include the parts when I sell the set. This is a set I will sell in the future.

Thanks,
Jim

[david@london]

Jim,

sounds like you have a 328......lots of information here:

https://www.britishtelephones.com/t328.htm

<edit> ....and this page about keys:

https://www.britishtelephones.com/keys300.htm

[tubaman]

Jim,
I've never known any of the GPO mouldings to shrink so that shouldn't be a problem. The switch assembly on the 300 series phones is part of the chassis, so if you remove the baseplate (4 screws) and then the chassis assembly (3 screws) the whole lot will come out leaving the dial and switch button tops in situ.

[Jack Ryan]

I've never known any of the GPO mouldings to shrink so that shouldn't be a problem.

The Bakelite (black & brown) moulding won't shrink - the early (Urea Formaldehyde) coloured ones might.

Shrinkage is more a US thing with the use of Tenite.

Jack

[tubaman]

The Bakelite (black & brown) moulding won't shrink - the early (Urea Formaldehyde) coloured ones might.

Shrinkage is more a US thing with the use of Tenite.

Jack

Jack,
Yes I suppose the early Urea Formaldehyde ones could potentially shrink (I've never seen it though), but as the phone in question is a 300 series I don't think they were ever made of that.

[kleenax]

I have one of those, albeit without the Diakon Green handset. I WILL be casting a Green handset for it dated 1939. I have some original 30's Green Diakon bits to utilize for color-matching. I was told by a collector in the UK that it is a very early WWII piece as it has the hand-painted part #s on the bottom.

Sorry for the cosmetic condition; it sits on the top shelf in my workshop!

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=20051.0;attach=217221;image
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=20051.0;attach=217224;image
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=20051.0;attach=217226;image

[Jack Ryan]

Jack,
Yes I suppose the early Urea Formaldehyde ones could potentially shrink (I've never seen it though), but as the phone in question is a 300 series I don't think they were ever made of that.

I agree with you and yes, the phone shown is Bakelite so it won't shrink.

I only commented because your comment "I've never known any of the GPO mouldings to shrink" seemed to cover all mouldings.

But no clash intended - just a clarification.

Regards
Jack

[david@london]

I have one of those, albeit without the Diakon Green handset. I WILL be casting a Green handset for it dated 1939. I have some original 30's Green Diakon bits to utilize for color-matching.

Ray,

that'll be very interesting to see. What material will you use to cast the handset?

[kleenax]

Ray,

that'll be very interesting to see. What material will you use to cast the handset?

I use polyurethane to do all of my castings.