Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Wooden Phones => Topic started by: Dave on March 07, 2018, 10:16:15 PM

Title: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Dave on March 07, 2018, 10:16:15 PM
I looked in the first thumbtacked post regarding ID'ing wood boxes and whatnot and didn't find anything exactly like this. It's in a local auction with a 202, and I'm bidding. I want the 202, but whatever this wooden piece is interesting too.

Any ideas based on the limited info?

Dave



Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Babybearjs on March 07, 2018, 10:30:26 PM
Its a ringer subset. was used with the candlestick phones and the 100 and 200 series phones. mine is a 315H its identical to the one pictured.
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Dave on March 08, 2018, 12:03:16 AM
It's being sold with this 202 (I think it's a 202). Are these two items a natural pairing, or could they just be two disparate pieces thrown together into one lot?

Dave
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: HarrySmith on March 08, 2018, 07:14:17 AM
The "202" requires a ringer or subset, it is not a complete phone. It is called a B mount and can be wired as a 102 or 202. There are several threads here about them and the subsets.
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: RB on March 08, 2018, 09:38:00 AM
That's a nice pair there.
All I have read, and that's not much, indicates those may well be a natural pair.
If that is indeed a 315H.
John, you say you have a 315H. what do you have connected to it?
I just received a 40AL i am attempting to pair to my 315H.
Any wisdom you can offer ?
or anybody else for that matter...
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Dave on March 08, 2018, 10:01:11 AM
Throwing my ignorance out there for everyone to see - Why would the box have a crank (which I thought generated the outgoing signal to the switchboard) when the phone itself has a rotary dial (which I thought pretty much replaced cranks)?

Could it be that the box predates the phone and was modified to be a ringer only?

Dave
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Babybearjs on March 08, 2018, 10:37:29 AM
right now my 315H is not in service. its just in storage for the moment... If I do put it back in service, I might tie a 211 to it... but I'm not sure... currently, its just an extension ringer....
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: RB on March 08, 2018, 10:39:05 AM
good catch!
That is not the way it was prob meant to be used.
Yes, it can very well have been modified.
The crank only notified the operator you were on the line.
The dial placed the call. which was first located at the switchboard.
then later moved to the station.
It can still be used that way, if you are connecting to a LB cord board.
and may be able to be used on newer equip also, not sure.
But the crank would need to be disabled. or you would fry the board circuits.
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Dave on March 08, 2018, 08:48:13 PM
Assuming the auction goes my way, I think I would like to install an AE Mini Network in its base, and sell the wood to someone who can appreciate it.

Dave
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: poplar1 on March 10, 2018, 05:25:04 PM
Quote from: Dave on March 08, 2018, 10:01:11 AM
Throwing my ignorance out there for everyone to see - Why would the box have a crank (which I thought generated the outgoing signal to the switchboard) when the phone itself has a rotary dial (which I thought pretty much replaced cranks)?

Could it be that the box predates the phone and was modified to be a ringer only?

Dave

This looks like a "marriage" (202 and 300K/400K subset) made by some well-meaning antique dealer!

When a 202 was used with a subset that contains a hand generator, there was no dial on the phone.
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Dave on March 10, 2018, 10:07:46 PM
We'll find out soon enough, the auction will be over Monday. I've decided no one else is going to have this. I'd like a nice old D1. I'll report back soon.

Dave
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: tubaman on March 11, 2018, 10:50:58 AM
This inspired me to dig my 400K (I think) subset from the back of a cupboard.
If it's one of those it'll look like this inside.
Weighs a ton too!
:)
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Butch Harlow on March 11, 2018, 12:08:27 PM
Mine is a 315H. It has a 3 bar magneto and I assume its intended for local battery service. If I had another one I could set up a local intercom using some batteries. I paired my 20AL to it for ornamental purposes, but I assume that them being paired in real life is plausible. Pardon all the Pez in the background. My B1 and D1 mountings are both paired to 634A subsets. My first D1 I bought from an old Bell System tech, he had all the provenance of its history, having removed it from service himself in 1971. I got it paired with the 634. I love the sound of the bells in the 634. Of course, I love the sound of just about any 80+year old bells I get to work. Western Electric built 'em to run forever. I wish they made cars.
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Dave on March 11, 2018, 02:12:45 PM
Quote from: Butch Harlow on March 11, 2018, 12:08:27 PM
If I had another one I could set up a local intercom using some batteries. . . .

I'll see what I can do to help you out. I'll put new pictures here after I bring it home.
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Dave on March 11, 2018, 08:42:59 PM
Never mind.

The package of 3 phones (it also included a black 2500) went for $215. If I wanted to bid again it would have been $225 and assuming it stopped there add a $22.50 buyer's premium and you have almost $250. That seems high for these three particular pieces. Wouldn't you agree?
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Butch Harlow on March 12, 2018, 06:11:30 AM
Yes, considering the 202 needed work, as did the magneto box. There are plenty of D1 phones to be had, it's worth the wait to find it at the right price.
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Sargeguy on March 12, 2018, 07:59:48 PM
 If it's any consolation, I was trying to sell a D-1 with 4-H dial E-1 handset with the correct subset in working condition for $150 and received no offers.  $225 would have been way too much for that phone
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Babybearjs on March 13, 2018, 12:38:32 AM
I see there is a 101A induction coil in yours, did you add that, or did it come that way? I wanted to add in in mine, but wasn't sure where to put it...
Title: Re: Any idea what this is?
Post by: Dave on March 13, 2018, 07:47:59 PM
Here's part of the wording of the listing.

"It's lot contains 3 telephones one is a vintage Crank phone, but it does not have the handle or the part you speaking. The second is an old rotary phone and the third is a black push-button telephone."

Incorrect word choices aside, I suspect the seller didn't have any idea what the subset was. He probably really did think it was a phone that was missing parts. I knew it wasn't a phone, but I wasn't sure so I asked you guys. I think it's highly likely the buyer thought he was getting 3 telephones and that's what he paid for. Oops!