Auction 129: WE 1952 4 Button 440 EC-3 Keyset - Ended 9/6/14

[TelePlay]

Listed about 12 hours ago, this early (3-52) 4-button keyset, with issues, should be an interesting auction contest. This is a 7 day auction starting at $45. Will it sell? Probably. For how much? That's the question. Issues include a missing line cord, the back of the back left ear seems to be cracked, deep wear spot(s) on the F1 handset and the phone shows its age. The dial card is interesting. JUstice seems to be a very popular exchange in the TEN Project database. So, who knows best what this phone will sell for at auction end.

EDIT:  With the low activity on this phone, actually, none as of 9/1, if this phone does not sell, the right, as in a reserve auction, is hereby reserved to cancel this auction completely with no contest winner.

The seller listed it as an "Old Vintage Western Electric Bell System 440 Type Telephone 440 EC-3 3/52" with the item condition as "- - - " and "- - - " with the auction listing description simply as "Here is a used, Old Vintage Western Electric Bell System 440 Type Telephone 440 EC-3 3/52. untested, sold as is for parts/repair .   . the item is used."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131283077064

or this link below if the short one above does not work

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Vintage-Western-Electric-Bell-System-440-Type-Telephone-440-EC-3-3-52-/131283077064

NOTE: we will use a 6% gap rule between guesses to prevent crowding. As such, guess gaps of 12+% can be split. I'll help with these as the auction goes forward and guesses are entered.

It's another chance to move up a rung or to get onto the CRPF -> Contest Standings <- list for as twocvbloke said,    - - - >  "You gotta be in it to win it ! ! !". . .    "

New forum members are very welcome and encouraged to take a guess. After all, there are no wrong guesses, just one lucky one. No one knows the winning bid on any auction until it ends. However, it is important to get your guess in before someone else grabs your guess.

If you want to see the phones of past Auction Contests, click -> HERE <-



S C O R E B O A R D

$    45.00 - Sargeguy  ( 8 )  -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $45.00
$    50.00 - poplar1  ( 4 )
$    58.88 - TelePlay  ( 11 )
$    68.00 - Fabius  ( 1 )
$    76.00 - WEBellSystemChristian  ( 3 )
$    80.78 - Russ Kirk  ( 12 )
$    85.55 - Kenton K  ( 7 )
$    92.00 - WesternElectricBen  ( 9 )
$  100.00 - kleinkaliber  ( 6 )
$  115.00 - HarrySmith  ( 10 )
$  157.50 - tallguy58  ( 2 )
$  175.00 - Mr. Bones  ( 5 )



Early Morning Auction Status Changes

08-30-14     Listed    $       45.00
08-31-14     0 Bids    $       45.00
09-01-14     0 Bids    $       45.00
09-02-14     0 Bids    $       45.00
09-03-14     0 Bids    $       45.00
09-04-14     0 Bids    $       45.00
09-05-14     0 Bids    $       45.00
09-06-14     0 Bids    $       45.00
09-06-14     1 bidder, 1 bid $45.00 Ended at 19:02:05 PDT

[Fabius]

$68

[Fabius]

I wonder why only part of the date has been deleted?

[TelePlay]

I wonder why only part of the date has been deleted?

Good question. The coil looks like I-52, but can't read the ringer, the base or the dial. The key set experts should be able to tell us more about this desk set.

[tallguy58]

$157.50

[WEBellSystemChristian]

$76. One question,  what was the first year that 440s were made? Mine is from 1948.

[poplar1]

$76. One question,  what was the first year that 440s were made? Mine is from 1948.

According to the "Telephone Story" WE poster, it was 1938.

$50

[Mr. Bones]

$175.00 would be my guess...

Best regards!

[poplar1]

440EC-3 =Black 4-button set, no lamps,  561E Key (Hold + 3 lines),  D14A Cord.

1st 4=400 series (like 300 series but with 2 or more lines)
2nd 4=4-button
0=no lamps
E=configuration (HPPP)
The "C" means it is for 1A Key only.
-3=Black

[unbeldi]

Seems like someone had their fingers in this phone. There really is no way the No. 6 dial is original, and the way its wiring is (un)arranged indicates an amateur job.

Wonder why the buttons are transparent..... Probably because of those fingers...

[TelePlay]

Wonder why the buttons are transparent..... Probably because of those fingers...

My original work up of this contest had "clear buttons" in my opening paragraph. paul-f's site states the 444 had clear buttons and the 440 were opaque. Since the base said 440, and I realize this phone may have been "worked on" and the buttons "changed." So, I left that our members to discuss, as you did. The photos posted look like cloudy clear buttons but the photos weren't good enough for me to make that statement, so I left that out. They look clear, but without having it in my hand, or better pictures, I didn't go there. Thanks for adding that comment.

[kleinkaliber]

$100

[poplar1]

Later 440s and 460s, as well as refurbished ones, had clear buttons, even though there were no lamps. Also,later 44x and 46x keysets, as well as 302s, were manufactured with 6A dials.

[unbeldi]

Maybe, but in 3/52 there were barely 6A dials to be had.
It would be interesting to see the date on the housing, it seems like that the entire top of the unit was switched onto the 3-52 base.

[poplar1]

The number plate is no later than II 53 since it has the Z. These sets were made until late 1954.