Hi everyone, I'm new here and I hope I'm posting this in the right place..
I recently came across this old rotary crank type phone and I've been scouring the Internet and I can't seem to identify it.
It says Western Electric on the handle of the phone. No other notable markings anywhere or inside other then a number on the back. I've tried to Google this as a model number but I can never find one that looks like mine with the rotary dial and same type of phone.
Can anyone please help me identify this??
Welcome to the forum. It looks like it was a 415 wall phone at one point. Appears someone decided to "upgrade" it. I ma not a woodie expert but several here are. I am sure they will chime in with some details.
Yes, Harry, looks like a Northern 415H subset
Northern 415H Subset.jpg
that has been upgraded to include a newer dial (dial is similar to the Federal TA-45G-BT Dial but seems to be a newer version with the hardwired soldered leads, the white plastic pulse wheel, better layout of components and the black plastic housing)
Dial Comparison.jpg
and a mini-network installed
Mini-network.jpg
May also have had the hook apparatus added, something that would have been on the desk set or desk stand. Other than used as a subset, I don't know if the N415H was ever made as a magneto phone (without the dial, of course) and the hook and handset may be original to a magneto phone. Others should know.
The 415H wiring diagram does not show a dial
Northern 415H wiring diagram.jpg
A mini-network and dial on a magneto phone are not compatible, but I may be wrong. As you said, there are others on the forum that should know.
https://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/search?q=N415H&Search=
Federal = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Telegraph_Company ? Just asking out of interest...
This was rebuilt by Chicago old telephone co .The dial is off a telephone from Norway with an SC fingerwheel. The brass handset rings were custom made.We used standard flat modular wire and had a mill spin the cloth cover
Quote from: rdelius on September 21, 2022, 03:09:30 PMThis was rebuilt by Chicago old telephone co.
Is the magneto functional? Is it in the circuit and if so, what does it do or how is it used?
The magnito rings the ringer
Quote from: rdelius on September 21, 2022, 07:34:51 PMThe magnito rings the ringer
Was this rebuilt to work as a common battery phone and if so, how is the magneto voltage kept off the POTS line?
some were wired so the magneto switches the voltage out into the ringer while not back through the capacitor to the telephone line .The magneto was just for fun .Some did back feed voltage through the capacitor into the telephone line
Wow all of this is so cool to learn. Thank you so so much!!!
I have a few more questions..
What year is this from?
What year was it possibly rebuilt?
Was it rebuilt or upgraded to be used.. or just rebuilt to look cool? (I hope that question made sense)
How can you tell it was rebuilt by old Chicago telephone Co?
Is it even worth anything? I'm keeping it regardless but just curious.
Does anyone need any other closer pictures to help identify or answer anything? I would be happy to take some more up close pictures if needed.
I worked for COT for 25 years I rebuilt dials,repaired bakelite and asssembled telephones .This was most likely rebuilt mid 80s to early 2000s . The box is Northern Electric most likely 20s to 40s .These were built for use . Real wood and brass instead of the decorator sets with plastic and fake wood cabnets.
Quote from: rdelius on September 21, 2022, 11:34:52 PMI worked for COT for 25 years I rebuilt dials,repaired bakelite and asssembled telephones .This was most likely rebuilt mid 80s to early 2000s . The box is Northern Electric most likely 20s to 40s .These were built for use . Real wood and brass instead of the decorator sets with plastic and fake wood cabnets.
When you say built for real use, you mean this thing could possibly work? 🤔
We built them to work, not just to look at ,\.Our market was not to collectors although we could build special things if requested.Telephones were sent to us for repair or restoration.
Quote from: rdelius on September 25, 2022, 09:53:16 AMWe built them to work, . . .
Robby,
Given one of the first images posted, I can see the black ringer wire going to L2 and the red ringer wire going to another point on the network that in some way gets back to L1 through a ring capacitor.
Where would you attach the line cord, directly to L1 and L2 or to some other point in the phone?
I would try L1 and L2 . One side of the line through the switch and the other through the dial pulse contacts L1 abd L2 are just tie points and you should see one side of the ringer and the capacitor on the other .THe 500 circuit is simplified and not followed
d exactly
Quote from: rdelius on September 25, 2022, 08:17:56 PMOne side of the line through the switch and the other through the dial pulse contacts . . .
I understand what you mean but without the phone in hand, can't begin to imagine which terminals they are.
If the owner wants to try and hook it up to a working "POTS" line, she will have to work with you connections.
Thanks for all your replies.
I had no idea this was a working thing. This is SO COOL!!
We don't currently have a phone line or use one in the house. When I picked this up, it was at the end of a yard sale and was being given away for free. I thought it was really cool so I grabbed it.
Let me know if you guys want me to take any more detailed pictures of the inside and I would be happy to post them.
I think we're going to get this hung up on the wall in our den. Definitely love this piece! :)
You got a good deal. I do not remember what it sold for but most likely over $100.00