Transparant Socotel S63

[Matilo Telephones]

A couple of weeks ago I won this in an online auction. Was kind of surprised that I got it at 40 euros plus 6.75 euros shipping.

It is a Socotel S63. The S63 was the French standard telephone from 1963 until around 1980. Normally they are 2 tone grey or 2 tone brown, but green, orange and blue can also be found (and some other colors).

Not sure what it is made of. The plastic is a bit soft, softer than normal ABS. Does anybody know what materiel this is?

[LarryInMichigan]

That is clearly a very nice find for a very good price!

Larry

[unbeldi]

A couple of weeks ago I won this in an online auction. Was kind of surprised that I got it at 40 euros.

It is a Socotel S63. The S63 was the French standard telephone from 1963 until around 1980. Normally they are 2 tone grey or 2 tone brown, but green, orange and blue can also be found (and some other colors).

Not sure what it is made of. The plastic is a bit soft, softer than normal ABS. Does anybody know what materiel this is?

I can't do a chemical analysis by pictures, but I believe many of the clear objects and phones were made with poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA), also known as Plexiglas, Lucite, and more I am sure.

Western Electric used it for making finger wheels on dials starting in the 50s.

[Mr. Bones]

Very nice phone, Arwin... enjoy!

Best regards!

[HarrySmith]

Clearly, congratulations are in order on this awesome phone and a great deal!

[compubit]

Congrats on winning a sharp looking phone!

Jim

[Matilo Telephones]

Thanks guys, I'm very happy with it. I always wanted to have a closer look at the S63 and this one is much nicer than the regular brown of grey ones.

All Original cords too, in good condition.

I though about plexiglas too, but this material is a bit soft. Plexiglas is usually harder. I is a bit like vinyl, like the kind records were made of. I just asked in case somebody knew.

[unbeldi]

Since it is clear, it may be very easy to stick it into an infrared spectrophotometer, and you'd know very quickly what it is.
The hardness isn't so significant, almost all plastics can be formulated in a wide spectrum of hardness, depending on add-on materials.
Perhaps it's a cellulosic, like cellulose acetate, Tenite, which feels very natural, almost like a wood finish.  Many consumer products were and still are made of it. You have any friends at your local university or college chemistry department? This would be a very quick measurement, since you don't have to pulverize it to press semi-transparent pellets.

[Matilo Telephones]

Well, I know somebody with access to the LHC. I'll have a word with him.