Who Amongst Us Has The Oldest 500?

[MMikeJBenN27]

Here you go sir ...

Does it have trouble ringing?  These should be wired so that the slate and slate-white wires go to "E", the red wire to "K", and the black wire to either "G" or "L1", depending on if you have grounded wiring or not.

Mike

[Contempra]

The only WE500 I have is from 1960, but its been in the family since then and has sentimental value    I like the neoprene feet but I hate the upgraded modular cord!!!

I don't like the modular style either, but they will be collectible and sought after one day.. Since hardly anyone has a landline anymore, but a portable cellphone..

[Contempra]

Mine are from 1955 to 1987 in colors of beige (4 or 5), black (about ten) and two olive green and one white (yellowed a little). Apart from repairing them, oiling them and putting them into operation, the rest, I leave them as they are. .

[ChrisW6ATV]

I have a red 500 marked C/D 10/52, but it is not all original, since it has a plastic dial. It cost $5 at a thrift shop in northern California in 2010-2014, I forgot what year.

Would it be worthwhile for me to try putting all-1952 parts back into it, if I could find them, or at least a metal dial, or is it better to leave it as is? I definitely like the idea of a matching dial, at least.

Six months later, I know much better. My "1952" 500 may have become a red phone in the 1960s (the red line/mounting cord has 6 6 on the phone-end clip, and the handset cord has 6 7 on the base-end clip). The handset cord was pink but painted red, oddly. The 9C dial, housing, and transmitter all have 1972 dates; the U3 receiver is from 2-9-60. So, this is not "a 1952 500", but a standard Western Electric mix of parts that all work fine together 50-70 years later (as most 500s do!).