1949-50 Western Electric 500 on eBay

[.....]

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Early-Vintage-Black-Western-Electric-500-Rotary-Desk-Phone-January-1950/352969819046

January 1950 Western Electric 500 on eBay. Seen this posted on Facebook.

[Dan/Panther]

A great looking phone. I would love to have it. The only problem I see are the '49' dates on some parts. The base being clearly marked 1950, HOWEVER we have long said here that the network was a major factor in determining the date of a phone. This is a dilemma. The network is dated 1949. One could argue the phone is 1949.
Still when all is said and done,  think the phone will sell for a price that will reflect a 1949 date.
The shell for the phone was made exactly one week after I was born. 10-18-1949.
I have an idea, why doesn't everyone pitch in and buy it for me.

JMHO.

D/P

[Doug Rose]

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Early-Vintage-Black-Western-Electric-500-Rotary-Desk-Phone-January-1950/352969819046

January 1950 Western Electric 500 on eBay. Seen this posted on Facebook.

Doug....how much was it on FB?....other Doug

[HarrySmith]

Quite a high price in my opinion.

[FABphones]

Screenshot from eBay listing:

[.....]

Doug....how much was it on FB?....other Doug

eBay link was posted.

[paul-f]

The base being clearly marked 1950, HOWEVER we have long said here that the network was a major factor in determining the date of a phone. This is a dilemma. The network is dated 1949. One could argue the phone is 1949.

In my opinion, the latest date on the difficult-to-replace components is the best indication of the manufacturing date. In this case, January 1950.

The seller did a good job of describing the date differences, listing each major component and providing great photos. These usually contribute to relatively high ebay prices.

The late 1949 components (sets made in October and later) are the same as 1950 components, so only the "magic" of a 1949 date may cause some to bid higher. This would be a good "parts phone" for someone assembling an all-1949 set.

You may recall we cataloged the differences between early 1949 and late 1949 sets. One telltale difference is the bottom plate. See the summary here:
http://www.paul-f.com/we500_Early.html#BottomPlate

While I agree that this set will probably generate a high price, it would probably be higher with the characteristics of an early 1949 set.

(edit: corrected link)

[Jim Stettler]

D/P,
Did you notice the plungers are clear and rounded. I seem to remember some discussion on plungers when we were discussing your phone in this topic.
Jim
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2394.msg31962#msg31962
This link takes you to the start of the topic, not the discussion on plungers.
Edited to acd link

[Jim Stettler]

You may recall we cataloged the differences between early 1949 and late 1949 sets. One telltale difference is the bottom plate. See the summary here:
http://www.paul-f.com/we500_Early.html#BottomPlate

I don't recall this  page. It is  nice . I like the referenced info page.  There was a lot of early 500 set info surfacing in the topic  regarding Dan's phone.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2394.msg31962#msg31962

I think this was the topic that got Paul F. to join the forum.
Jim

[.....]

Here is another thread with reference to a 49 WE 500.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=21440.

[AT2796]

Well, I don't have the knowledge and expertise that you guys have, but 10/26 is the day I hired on at Pacific Bell!
Maybe take D/P'S suggestion and we can share it I'll take Jan thru June, DP can have Jul thru Dec?
Sounds good to me. Thanks guys!

[Jim Stettler]

Since the topic is 1949-50 500 sets, and I like clear sets, here is a link to a  clear  500 set. The housing is stamped 1949.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=22991.msg231083#msg231083
Jim

[Dan/Panther]

D/P,
Did you notice the plungers are clear and rounded. I seem to remember some discussion on plungers when we were discussing your phone in this topic.
Jim
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2394.msg31962#msg31962
This link takes you to the start of the topic, not the discussion on plungers.
Edited to acd link

Yes mine has the same clear round top plungers. In the shell that you provided. I can never thank you enough for that. The set would just not look anywhere near as good as it does, with any other shell.

D/P

[Jim Stettler]

Yes mine has the same clear round top plungers. In the shell that you provided. I can never thank you enough for that. The set would just not look anywhere near as good as it does, with any other shell.

D/P

Consider me fully thanked. I had a part in the coolest find and restoration in modern telephone collecting.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2394.msg31962#msg31962
It is the best forum Topic ever. Not to mention the funniest. It is still my favorite thread.

Your phone became a cause. Much research and labor was done by  forum members  to bring this phone To display condition  with background documentation. You have  the skills to reproduce most parts. I donated some plastic.
The original plastics may of matched the patent drawing
http://www.paul-f.com/weproto.html
500 set announced 1949

[Dan/Panther]

Jim;

Believe it or not I still go back and read it periodically, I seem to learn more each time I read it. Either a post I overlooked or something someone posted that I more clearly understand now.
I even correct spelling errors when I find them in my posts.

D/P