Dialess Metal 302 dated 1938

[HarrySmith]

Looks like plastic to me. Try heating the handset caps with a hair dryer. Also if you don't have any in Dad's tools, get 2 strap wrenches. I have not had a cap I could not get off since I got mine

[MagicMo]

It is Metal. I had my husband check.
The only number I saw was B162. See pic.
Thanks
Mo

[TelePlay]

Mo,

Can you post pictures of the interior, base and shell?

Also, metal it is, and, metal is twice as heavy as a plastic shelled 302. An easy way among many to make that determination. I have a metal '46 but most metal shells are pre-war. There is a lot to be said about the 302 and the one you have by the experts out there. I just collected a lot of them, too many my wife says, over time.

As for that shell number, can anyone expand on that? I've not seen that marking before. Is that phone a keeper? H1 is the marking most commonly seen.

As for strap wrenches, I bought one at Home Depot a few years ago and it's worked fine every time I've needed it to remove a cap. It's made by Husky and it is husky, thick and heavy rubber belt that is a bit clumsy to use but grips handset caps real well.

It's no longer available at Home Depot but I just found it at Amazon for the same price, plus shipping, unfortunately. It got one bad review at Amazon but it was from a cyclist, not a phone enthusiast, so what does he know.  

http://tinyurl.com/bl7gwpf

I'm sure there are others that work equally as well. This is the one I have experience with and works well for me for that one purpose.

Testimonial here:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=7581.0

[MagicMo]

I have a strap wrench! I give it a try tomorrow, I got to get it from the other house.
Here is some more pics.
Thanks!
Mo

[TelePlay]

Mo,

I think you have something special there, old for sure but not being a 302 expert, can't say for sure. Has and first generation ringer and larger capacitor cover, among other things. They were made fro '36 on through '46 in metal.

[MagicMo]

Thanks for the info.
What does B612 mean? Could it be the metal marking? Kind of metal? Just a thought.


B-162 Specification for Nickel Plate or Nickel alloy?


Thanks
Mo

[Greg G.]

I looked up 312-664-4440 in a reverse directory and it gave me a name and address.

[G-Man]

As I've already mentioned this is the most likely area as to where this instrument was used.

The MO 4-xxxx (664-xxxx) exchange is a Northern Telecom DMS-100 located at 641 N. DEARBORN
CHICAGO, IL.

Here is some additional information:

Information on: CHCGILSUDS2

State: IL

English Name:   CHCG SUPERIOR DS2

Switch Type:   DMS100

LATA:  Chicago IL METRO (358)

Exchanges Served: 25

Building CLLI:    CHCGILSU

Street Address:  641 N DEARBORN
                         CHICAGO, IL

Lat/Long:  41.89376, -87.62980
V/H Coord:5984, 3426

Tandem:    CHCGILID71T

SS7 Point Code:    250-030-105

Served Exchanges:   312-202 312-255 312-266 312-268 312-278 312-280 312-397 312-469 312-475 312-482 312-642 312-649 312-664 312-694 312-695 312-799 312-908 312-915 312-921 312-926 312-943 312-944 312-951 312-970 312-988

Served Rate Centers:    CHICGOZN01, IL

Served Companies:    AMERITECH ILLINOIS [Il Bell] (9329)

[unbeldi]

Dingy question...How do I know for sure it's metal besides that fact it is super heavy compared to the Bakelite and there is some removal of paint on the top where the handset goes.

From your pictures it is very clear that it is metal. No investigation needed. The paint texture and gloss tells it, especially inside, and there are bare metal spots from wear. The screw sockets don't have the metal inserts, like the plastic shells.  

[HarrySmith]

I asked about the stamp on the lists. I am curious also. We should get an answer there!

[wds]

Looks like it has been repainted.  Looking at the picture of the plunger, you can see dull paint where it appears to be chipped.  Also, the plunger is too shiney, and looks like it was painted also.  Nice phone otherwise.

[MagicMo]

Looks like it has been repainted.  Looking at the picture of the plunger, you can see dull paint where it appears to be chipped.  Also, the plunger is too shiney, and looks like it was painted also.  Nice phone otherwise.

I think it was still wet from cleaning. Looking at it in person and examining all the other 302's I have, it seems to be original paint. I could be wrong, but I am almost certain. I took a few more photos without flash.
Thanks
Mo

[wds]

Ok, the water thing makes since.  Thanks for clarifying!

[MagicMo]

I looked up 312-664-4440 in a reverse directory and it gave me a name and address.

I tried that, I got nothing! How'd you do that?
Mo

[Doug Rose]

its a beauty Mo....start listing those phones!....Doug