Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => Topic started by: Netdewt on November 29, 2010, 12:17:52 PM

Title: Moss green 500
Post by: Netdewt on November 29, 2010, 12:17:52 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290505817323

What years were these made? This color would look good in my living room...
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: Dan/Panther on November 29, 2010, 12:59:00 PM
I would request Flat rate Priority shipping, about 8 bucks cheaper.
The Moss Green phones seem to be overlooked a lot. The Redheaded step child so to speak.
D/P
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: LarryInMichigan on November 29, 2010, 01:36:42 PM
Netdewt,

Moss green phones are not terribly hard to find, and they often go for cheap.  I would pass on this one and wait for one in better condition.

Larry
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: Dennis Markham on November 29, 2010, 01:58:24 PM
I concur with Dr. LarryinMichigan.  Green phones are abundant.  If you're patient and watch a while you'll find one with less discoloration.  These phones are often found very discolored.  You may even find a soft plastic version relatively inexpensive.

Courtesy of PaulF here is the color chart for the Western Electric sets.

http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm#Colors
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: HarrySmith on November 29, 2010, 02:08:44 PM
I have 2 or 3 in my "To Do' pile. I do not recall exactly what condition they are in, I will look tonight if you are interested.
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: jsowers on November 29, 2010, 04:31:35 PM
FYI, they were made from about 1953 to 1984 and the color is commonly called moss green, as Larry said. I've had a modular one in my living room for 25 years. It even survived a lightning strike that killed a modem and an electronic AT&T phone.

This particular phone in the auction looks like a refurb from the 1960s or 70s since it has leather feet and hard plastic housing and handset. The insides are older than the outsides. For the real old fasioned dial sound, look for one with a hollow center fingerwheel. They have the 7C dial mechanism and the center number card rim on the fingerwheel is raised.

The oldest moss green phones have dark gray cords. They will be the priciest. If Harry doesn't find one, I have one in my "to do" pile from about 1960-63 that I'd be willing to part with for what I paid for it plus shipping. It didn't cost much--it came with another phone about a year ago and I haven't touched it. Just send me a PM.
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: McHeath on November 29, 2010, 10:03:08 PM
This phone would be an interesting one from the perspective of how it's a 50's phone that has been refurbed in the late 60's or very early 70's.  Looks like it would need some serious work to get the plastics back to original color, I had to sand my one moss green phone and that's a lot of work.  Lots of people call it avocado green, but it's really not, it's a different shade and one that I really like. 
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: HarrySmith on November 30, 2010, 07:42:41 AM
I checked and I only have one that is pretty badly discolored. Sorry. The ebay one looks better than mine. Maybe Dennis??
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: HarrySmith on November 30, 2010, 01:56:29 PM
Just found a nice looking SC 500 on ebay, cheap!
http://tinyurl.com/2uo5svr
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: Tom B on November 30, 2010, 03:28:59 PM
Quote from: McHeath on November 29, 2010, 10:03:08 PM
This phone would be an interesting one from the perspective of how it's a 50's phone that has been refurbed in the late 60's or very early 70's.  Looks like it would need some serious work to get the plastics back to original color, I had to sand my one moss green phone and that's a lot of work.  Lots of people call it avocado green, but it's really not, it's a different shade and one that I really like. 
Heath
        I have a couple of 50's phones that were refurb'ed late 60's or early 70's - my Moss Green started life as a white - the date matching dial info reads 7C 58. I also have a black 56 set refurb'ed in 1972 where the date matching dial reads 7C 54 - Mahogany. Judging by this and after some informative education from Dennis I think you can't surmise anything with these refurbs
Title: Re: Moss green 500
Post by: JorgeAmely on November 30, 2010, 03:37:52 PM
Quote from: jsowers on November 29, 2010, 04:31:35 PM
... It even survived a lightning strike that killed a modem and an electronic AT&T phone ...


That is very interesting, Jonathan. I gave my Mom a pink 500 that survived a lighting strike that killed her modem and about a dozen cows in the next door neighbor property.