Painted 554 for $28

[unbeldi]

This  black housing dated "6 18  56  2"  also has the mouse hole, but not the top side ribs.

The base still has the satin-chrome switch hook.

[jsowers]

How about:    4  9   56  1

Yes, definitely. That's a 1 at the end and not a 3.

As with everything else in these and other phones, it was one slight modification after the other.

[WEBellSystemChristian]

So what would we agree on for my housing? I'm still siding with an early to mid 1955 manufacture date. Has anyone seen a late '55 or newer housing without the mousehole?

[Dennis Markham]

Christian, I checked the dozen 554's that I have in my wall display.  They are all soft plastic models and all have the mouse hole.  I don't remember seeing one without.  I have others though that I will check to see if they are with or without the mouse hole.

~Dennis

[Mr. Bones]

I have others though that I will check to see if they are with or without the mouse hole.
~Dennis

Christian, I only have perhaps a dozen "~" 554's, but they are all mostly early models. I will also check them out, and report any relevant findings to you, especially if it might help track down a time-frame for these features. I just love a mystery!!!

Best regards, my friend!

'Bonesy'

[unbeldi]

In another topic, I once showed a comparison for 554 housings for 1957 vs. 1960:

"6 4 57 1"  and P|60 (new style mold date dials)

This image has high resolution (>3000px) for detailed viewing.

The housings are identical except for the date marking method and have both the inside-wiring slot and the upper side ribs. As far as I know this is how all housing were molded starting either in late 1956 or in 1957.

[unbeldi]

The changes discussed in this thread appear to concern only the sets made between 1955 and 1956, inclusively.

Here is what I remember right now of the early history.

I have only anecdotal evidence of a set made in 1954, although they should exist, as the wall phone was announced on Nov. 5, 1954, acc. the AT&T Events in Telephone History.  The earliest date I have seen is 2/2/55, IIRC. I think it was shown in one of the BSPs for the 554 (in case that even counts).   The first 554 BSP was also dated to February 1955.

It is said (or written?) that initially only black units were available, but ivory was added almost immediately after that.  The black sets had a black painted switch hook, and the ivory sets used a switch hook that was chromed in matt, or satin finish. The first BSPs listed green, red, and beige sets, in addition to dash codes 3 and 50.  By late 1955, the set was available in all eight colors, plus black. [PS: a Nov.55 BSP does not list all eight colors.]  In 1956 (perhaps sooner?) the black sets also used the matt chrome cradle. The transition to shiny chrome switch hooks probably happened with the 3rd quarter of 1956. In 1957/8, the dark versions of gray, beige, blue, and brown are discontinued, replaced with light gray and light beige. Late 1958 or early 1959 pink is added, ca. 1960 adds aqua blue.

From the discussion here, we can add that the wiring slot to the left of the handset cord exit was added late, probably Nov/Dec 1955. Sometime in the second half of 1956, the cover received the additional structural ribs on the upper sides.  We should note that these ribs required the base plate edge to be notched.  The early base plates could not be used with later housings.

I didn't discuss the cordage, but it should follow pretty much the 500 desk set, with the exception that I have never seen a wall set with straight cords. I think they were always 554 A/B R sets.

Did I forget something?

[jsowers]

Thanks for listing all the facts. I have a couple clarifications...

The black 554s could be had with straight cords or optional coil cords, but the color 554s always came with coil cords. I remember seeing that in a BSP, but I don't have it handy at the moment. I'll look for it and report back.

Also my evidence suggests the chrome switchhook was shiny at first and then in 1956 became satin finished. My ivory 554 from 8-55 has a shiny switchhook. Our 554 inventory done a while back seemed to indicate that the satin chrome switchhook was likely introduced in 1956 when all the other colors came on board and then it was gone by 1957. Are there pictures of any other 1955 color 554s for reference? I posted mine below.

Publications from 1955 show that the black 554 came with a straight cord and the ivory 554 was introduction around the second half of 1955 because they continue to show the ivory 354 in the WE catalog side buy side with the black 554.

As far as a 1954 554 goes, I'll believe it when I see it.

[unbeldi]

The base plate notch for housings with upper side ribs:

[unbeldi]

Also my evidence suggests the chrome switchhook was shiny at first and then in 1956 became satin finished. My ivory 554 from 8-55 has a shiny switchhook. Our 554 inventory done a while back seemed to indicate that the satin chrome switchhook was likely introduced in 1956 when all the other colors came on board and then it was gone by 1957. Are there pictures of any other 1955 color 554s for reference? I posted mine below.

I believe all the 1955 sets that I have seen, other than black, all had satin switchhooks. I do think there are several on this forum.  My first guess is that yours was replaced later.

Publications from 1955 show that the black 554 came with a straight cord and the ivory 554 was introduction around the second half of 1955 because they continue to show the ivory 354 in the WE catalog side buy side with the black 554.

I think I have seen that side-by-side ad, but it also showed a 302 next to a 500, when the 302 should have been obsolete already. However, the ivory 354s were definitely still made in 1955.

As far as a 1954 554 goes, I'll believe it when I see it.

Well, me too.

[unbeldi]

Here is another stab at deciphering Christian's date stamp.  (or better his phone's)

I think it is November 5, 1955.

11  5   55  2

[unbeldi]

As far as the straight cords on 554s is concerned, it is correct that the first BSP distinguishes between 554B and 554BR (and manual version) sets.
It shows a table with components.   The black and ivory sets are listed as being available with either straight, or retractile cords, while green, red, and beige only had neutral gray spring cords.

Ref: BSP Section C32.559 Issue 1, Feb. 1955,  Telephone Sets; 554, 556, and 558 Types; Description and Use

[unbeldi]

Some more research:

Here is the significant BSP that addresses the original topic that Christian wanted answered:

BSP C32.560 Issue 2, Nov. 1955: Telephone Sets; 554, 556, and 558 Types; Installation and Maintenance

It states in paragraph 1.02:

1.02.   lt is reissued to show wire slot in newer type housings.

(screenshot attached)

For older housings the document recommends to run the inside wiring through the handset cord slot, if not brought in from the rear.

So, November 1955 was the cutover from no-slot to slot, as Christian's phone appears from that month.  I do think I have seen other 11- or 12-55 sets here that do have the wire slot.

[poplar1]

The first BSPs listed green, red, and beige sets, in addition to dash codes 3 and 50.  By late 1955, the set was available in all eight colors, plus black. [PS: a Nov.55 BSP does not list all eight colors.]

Not sure that the following BSP can be trusted, as there have been mistakes in some of the BSPs on color sets. However, it would seem to indicate that the 172B painted wood backboards available (or anticipated) as of Aug., 1955 are as follows:

172B-3    Black
172B-50  Ivory
172B-52  Gray
172B-55  Beige

No green or red listed yet, but gray is missing from your list of initial 5 colors. Seems unlikely that a gray backboard would have been used for green or red set...

                Used for Mounting
                   354-, 356-, 357-, 554-, 556-, or
                   558-type wall telephone sets.
                   Same as 172A but with addi-
                   tional wire holes to accom-
                   modate the 544- [sic], 556- or 558-
                   type telephone sets. The 172A
                   may be modified in the field
                   by drilling the required holes
                   as shown in Fig. 1.

Réf: BSP ADDENDUM C37.201, Issue 1, Aug., 1955. Backboards, Description and Use 

[poplar1]

However illogical it might seem, the following list shows in fact green and red 554s were installed with gray backboards, according to C32.560 issue 2 (11/55) and issue 3 (12/56):

172B backboard             554 Set

172B-3                           Black  [-3]
172B-50 [ivory]              Ivory  [-50]
172B-52 [gray]              Green [-51] or Red [-53]
172B-53                         Beige  [-55]

C37.201 Issue 8, Sept. 1956 lists the following backboards:

Code No.        Finish

172B-3            Black
172B-50          Ivory
172B-51          Green
172B-52          Gray
172B-53          Red
172B-54          Brown
172B-55          Beige
172B-56          Yellow
172B-57          Blue