1937 302, or 304?

[Tim Mc]

I was fortunate enough to get this vented 302 with early I-37 dates back in July.  The numbers match except for the ringer (10/40) and the 101A coil (10/55).  Unfortunately the riveted feet were ground off and replaced.  It's not mint but I like it. 

It has the smoothest 5H dial I have had out of about 27 302s between '37 and '52, and it's the earliest with a I-37 date and very nice 149E dial plate dated IV-36.  I gave it new paint, cords and recovered the feet.

Does anyone have any insight on the MR-I-41 and MRIII42 markings on the base?

Also, the base is stamped "H1-3", so may have originally been a 304, but it doesn't have the L-shaped terminal block like my 1939 304 (pic for comparison).  Is this a 304 refurb'd into a 302?

Thanks,

Tim

[poplar1]

I was fortunate enough to get this vented 302 with early I-37 dates back in July.  The numbers match except for the ringer (10/40) and the 101A coil (10/55).  Unfortunately the riveted feet were ground off and replaced.  It's not mint but I like it. 

It has the smoothest 5H dial I have had out of about 27 302s between '37 and '52, and it's the earliest with a I-37 date and very nice 149E dial plate dated IV-36.  I gave it new paint, cords and recovered the feet.

Does anyone have any insight on the MR-I-41 and MRIII42 markings on the base?

Also, the base is stamped "H1-3", so may have originally been a 304, but it doesn't have the L-shaped terminal block like my 1939 304 (pic for comparison).  Is this a 304 refurb'd into a 302?

Thanks,

Tim

Since it is "H1-3," that indicates a black H1 ("-3" means black); so it is a 302.  "H3" or "H3-3" indicates a 304.

I-41 and III42 are rebuild dates. M may be the location of the WE shop that rebuilt it.

Does the dial have a solid phenol pulse pawl rather than the usual one?

[Tim Mc]

Thanks for the info!  Mystery solved - this is a black H1 as I'm fairly sure it's stamped "H1-3" on the shell.  I'm not sure about the pulse pawl.  I've uploaded a photo, but not sure if that will help identify the pawl or not.  It looks like solid plastic instead of a rubber or plastic over a metal rod.

[poplar1]

Yes, that's the phenol pulse pawl. Really makes a "silent" dial. Only made these for a short time, except maybe on the test board dials.

[wds]

That's really a nice 302.  Is that original paint, or has it been refurbished?

[Tim Mc]

Thanks, it has been repainted.  I was going to keep the original finish, but it was a bit too rough.  I used Rust-OLeum high performance enamel, gloss black.  I usually have my 302s powdercoated, but on this one I decided to paint it.  Strip, sand, primer and a few wet coats, then wet sand with 1500 and 2000 grit.  Finished off with some rubbing compound.

[Doug Rose]

Tim....the dial plate is absolutely beautiful. I felt for sure it had to be a reproduction. Amazing! Best one I have ever seen....great find!!! Is it possible to post a picutre of just the dial plate?...thanks...Doug

[Tim Mc]

Sure thing Doug.  The dial plate made this '37 even more special.

[Doug Rose]

WOW!!!   Really really nice....Doug

[Tim Mc]

Does anyone know when the 304 was first released?  I've checked a few online resources but haven't found a definitive answer.  I have a 304 dated 2/39 with the correct 101B and B2A ringer (photo above), so I assume it was likely before 1939.  

[poplar1]

Does anyone know when the 304 was first released?  I've checked a few online resources but haven't found a definitive answer.  I have a 304 dated 2/39 with the correct 101B and B2A ringer (photo above), so I assume it was likely before 1939. 

They are shown in BSP Section  C63.412, Issue 2, 9-1-38 Telephone Sets, 304 Type, Connections.
There are some early 304s with "H3-3" stamped on the outside of the housing; these are probably from early 1937.

[andre_janew]

The dialplate in Reply #7 is most unusual as it features only four letters of the alphabet.  I've never seen one quite like it.  I never knew they make one like that!

[Phonesrfun]

Those letters were used for party line suffixes for ringing on 4-party lines.  It is interesting that the town that I live in had these suffixes before the town converted from manual to dial.  At that point everyone had unique 7 digit numbers, even though there were parties on many actual lines.

With the suffix situation in a dial exchange, there would have had to be an extra digit to dial for those on the party line.

I have seen those number plates on dials before.

[poplar1]

Those letters were used for party line suffixes for ringing on 4-party lines.  It is interesting that the town that I live in had these suffixes before the town converted from manual to dial.  At that point everyone had unique 7 digit numbers, even though there were parties on many actual lines.

With the suffix situation in a dial exchange, there would have had to be an extra digit to dial for those on the party line.

I have seen those number plates on dials before.

Bell used the J, M, R and W suffixes only with phone numbers belonging to subscribers on manual lines. They were used only when calling from a dial office to a manual office. As you pointed out, once an office converted to dial, letters were dropped.

[paul-f]

We've had great discussions on the subject of dial number plates.  Check out this topic:

   http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=10624.0

and a summary chart:

   http://www.paul-f.com/weNumberPlates.html