always wanted one of these type candlesticks. This is marked 50al, with the older patent date on the side of May 7 18. Converted #2 dial. Phone needs a lot of cleaning before it can go on the shelf. I'm not sure what this piece is that is wired between the dial and ground on the line cord. Anyone have any ideas what this is?
My guess is that the part is a noise filter to reduce radio interference from the dial pulses.
Larry
I just noticed the inside of the perch is marked 52AB
The 52AB is a "handsfree" phone used by people such as order takers that spent a lot of time on the phone. The part is a varistor that is wired to GN and BB in the photo. This is in parallel with the receiver to reduce clicks in your ear.
The 52AB (sidetone) was superceded by the 152AB. These were still offered as late as the 1960s, much later than all other candlestick phones. I have one that was last remanufactured in 1961. Instead of a felt or leather bottom, the baseplate was repainted black, 4 triangular corks as used on 302s were added, and 152AB was stamped in vermillion ink on the bottom.