Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Identification, Repair & Restoration => Telephone Component Identification => Dials & Touchtone Pads => Topic started by: countryman on October 13, 2019, 07:44:36 AM

Title: German "Elmeg" butt sets, who made these dials?
Post by: countryman on October 13, 2019, 07:44:36 AM
Deutsche Bundespost technicians used to use 2 versions of "Elmeg" butt sets with dials before touchtone versions came from 1985 on. Both versions are stunningly similar to Western Electric 1011B test sets. I suspect they were built under license or with imported US parts. Since both dials are unique to the European market I can't think they were designed from scratch just for the German test sets.
The pictures show the later (1979-'85) version. There are absolutely no manufacturer marks on this dial except a 12/79 date stamp in white ink. It would be interesting to know if it is identical to any US dial type.
The last pic shows the 1978 an earlier version with a metal dial. Unfortunately I'm afraid to break the shell in the attempt of opening it, because the rubber has become hard and brittle.
Thanks in advance for any hints!
Title: Re: German "Elmeg" butt sets, who made these dials?
Post by: rdelius on October 13, 2019, 10:50:57 AM
The dial insides are similar. The Metal one looks even closer.I would guess SEL might have made them with their ITT/WE roots
Title: Re: German "Elmeg" butt sets, who made these dials?
Post by: paul-f on October 13, 2019, 12:04:45 PM
For comparison -- WE 103A dial photos.
Title: Re: German "Elmeg" butt sets, who made these dials?
Post by: countryman on October 13, 2019, 04:03:39 PM
Thanks guys. In fact that dial looks too similar to be anything else. This strengthens my opinion that Elmeg purchased parts or assemblies from SEL or the ITT group and tailored them for the German standards (e.g. wire colors and typeface). I don't think this can be verified as Elmeg went through mergers and restructuring and is out of the test equipment market long since (if such a market even exists any more).
Title: Re: German "Elmeg" butt sets, who made these dials?
Post by: paul-f on October 13, 2019, 09:08:38 PM
You're welcome. There's also this interesting BLR article from 1941.

https://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/search?q=103a+dial (https://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/search?q=103a+dial)