GEC Cyrillic Black Rotary Telephone

[Doug Rose]

I found this on eBay for BIN for $19.99. Did GEC make phones for Russia? Really nice shape. I just gave it the wipe down for pics....Doug


http://www.ebay.com/itm/252976389438?

[Alex G. Bell]

I don't know but it's interesting that it follows the WECo dial layout with 1 above 0 instead of 0 at the bottom, following AE.  I was unaware that any British dials followed the WECo layout.

There were also WECo 150-type dial plates for #5 dials with Cyrillic characters on the plate.  I was told that they were made for a US-Soviet Union Lend Lease program.

[Doug Rose]

Alex...nice phone in your Avatar...is it yours? I been collecting telephones for 35 years and you seem to have a world of knowledge. I have been in the ATCA and TCI. I  am Doug, who are you? ....Doug

[unbeldi]

I don't know but it's interesting that it follows the WECo dial layout with 1 above 0 instead of 0 at the bottom, following AE.  I was unaware that any British dials followed the WECo layout.

There were also WECo 150-type dial plates for #5 dials with Cyrillic characters on the plate.  I was told that they were made for a US-Soviet Union Lend Lease program.

I think the dial is by Siemens & Halske, or a licensee, not British.
Cyrillic was/is used not only USSR/Russia, but also as far west as Yugoslavia, todays Serbia, Macedonia, etc.

The original set design is likely Ericsson, DBH-1001 based, spawned a lot of similar types, but this is not a GEC telephone.
I think was made by VEF, CCCP.   1950s and 1960s.

[TelePlay]

Seller/Location info:

[rdelius]

I agree it is not GEC but a VEF BAGTA set from Riga.Yours is most like 50-60s but some were made in the 1930s.The dial and most parts were copies of German parts

[Doug Rose]

Robbie...you are correct...it is VEF in the circle on the phone and the handset....It is still a keeper.....Doug