Interesting External Ringer

[WesternElectricBen]

Hi there,

Briefly, D/P and I discussed this external ringer, (show in pictures,) though with out proper images, it was sort of hard to conclude what it is all about. It is larger than a regular ringer of the age (late 70s) and it does not contain a bell. It appears, there is some sort of handset capsule at the end of a tube, possibly for reverberation of the sound.

D/P guessed it could have possibly been an attempt at low volume ringers. His guess is as good as mine.

Although, with more examination, there is definitely not a bell inside. Could it be it played sound effects for a ringer, that could be variably adjusted between low and high? Although, maybe it could be a speakerphone, though unlikely as there is not grille directly in-front.

Any ideas? Please view images, once posted.

Ben

[paul-f]

Look on the back for a model number.  It looks like an S1A.

  http://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/document-repository/doc_details/2716-501-260-100-i4-s1a-s1am-tone-ringers-tl