French CIT 1950's telephone

[Matilo Telephones]

This arrived in the post today. A CIT telephone from France. It was in use in the 50s and 60s France, along side the well known U43.

A collector friend sent me a picture of his a while ago, asking what it was. I researched it a bit and was really intrigued by its odd design.

So I decided to try and hunt one down myself. Did not find one while I was on vacation in France. Found this one on ebay.

This one has an earthing button and a large switch just below the dial. Haven't found out what that actually does yet.

It does not seem to have a ringer. A buzzer perhaps.

And it comes with different kinds of handsets. This particular one is made of ABS, not bakelite.

I have not been able to find much info on it. What was this model called? Was it from the 50's or earlier? It does have an art deco feel to it.

What is the correct handset to go with this phone? And dial? The handset on it now is also marked CIT, but is not made of bakelite.

If anybody knows more of this phone, help would be appreciated.

[LarryInMichigan]

I have seen those on ebay and/or etsy a few times.  At least a couple of them had cracks or chips in the shell.  I believe that they had the same type of handset as the U43.

Is this phone maked "propriete de l'etat"?


Larry

[Matilo Telephones]

I have seen this one with 3 types of handset.

And older style CIT-handset, the U43 handset and this plastic one.

The one I have is also marked with the CIT logo and I have seen others with the same handset.

It is not marked propriete de l'etat, but it seems that later French telephones (made in the 60s?) are no marked with that text. My U43 also does not have those words on it.

[LarryInMichigan]

I have a French S63 from 1985 which is marked "propriete de l'etat" and one from 1980 which is no so marked.  The 1985 one also has "SOCOTEL" on it.

Larry

[Matilo Telephones]

Drat, then I am confused. Why are some marked propriete de l'etat and some are not?

[Matilo Telephones]

Some more pics of the inside.

On the inside of the little panel there is a small diagram. As per the diagram I hooked up L1 and L2. Phone rings (buzz), dials (dial is slow, but works/needs a service), receives. Transmitter does not work. Wiring problem or faulty transmitter. I hooked up my test handset and I get a dialtone.

The wiring (4) from the switch goes directly into the connection cord. As it is not connected to anything, it does not do anything at the moment.

The wiring of the big switch has the same look and feel as the rest of the wiring. It is however not connected to the phone. It is also not pictured in the diagram and I am not sure what is under that tape around its wires. Possibly fitted later? Has anybody seen such a switch before?