New England Telephone TYPE 111 extension ringer

[Sargeguy]

I bought this box last winter in a box of miscellaneous junk,  I think  I paid $12 for the whole lot.  It is a large for an extension ringer.  It's stamped TYPE 111 with an April 5, 1887 patent date.  The top is marked "NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY".  The box has the older style bell mounts.   The mounts are too far apart to fit a 2" or 2.5" gongs.  It must have used the jumbo 4" gongs.
 

[G-Man]

As you can see from this excerpt from a listing of equipment used by New England Telephone,
your ringer extension had 4-inch gongs.

[Sargeguy]

Thanks!  Where the heck did you find that?

[G-Man]

Thanks!  Where the heck did you find that?

On the TCI listserve.

[paul-f]

Someone HAS to explain the reference to wax balls.        Photos?

[G-Man]

Someone HAS to explain the reference to wax balls.        Photos?

Used for lighting protection. Tom Adams on the TCI list recently posted photos.

[Sargeguy]

This is from my NE T&T two-boxer:

[Sargeguy]

On the TCI listserve.

Which document?  I cannot seem to find it in the library or Member's area.

[G-Man]

On the TCI listserve.

Which document?  I cannot seem to find it in the library or Member's area.

From the TCI Listserve.....

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss123/tomadams1/WEArresters_zps08baed9f.jpg

[Sargeguy]

Sorry, I meant the New England Telephone list of equipment

[Sargeguy]

Speaking of NE T&T ringer boxes with wax balls I just picked up this beauty on eBay:




Although the wax ball is long gone it looks like the rest of the ringer is intact.  Just have to wait for a box of NOS wax balls to show up on eBay

[Sargeguy]

The new ringer box arrived.  It is in great shape, although the coats of polyurethane may hide some flaws.  Here is a good look at the mechanism for the wax ball type arrestor.  Basically, the wax ball melts a little, falls out and trips the switch.  The ball is missing in this instance.  The switch was bent back and folder paper was shoved in as an insulator.

[Sargeguy]

Here is a later NET & T ringer box.  If you look closely you can see perpendicular sets of screw holes where there once was a wax ball arrestor mounted next to the ringer.

[Sargeguy]

Despite not having any of the parts I have begun the restoration of the TYPE 111 box.  Stripping with citrus strip followed by sanding with 100-120-220 grit sandpaper and spot sanding over the stamps leaves room for hope.  I am going to restore it to "scratch and dent" condition, since it's too far gone for "like new".  There are chips at the corners, gouges and a big old crack in the side, not to mention water damage that is resistant to sanding. 

[Sargeguy]

So if I count my Southern Mass T&T 43J ringer box, I have all the NET&T ringer boxes on the list except the 43N-SPECIAL.  I just need a couple sets of 4" gongs, a couple green ringers, and a couple sets of wax ball arrestors.