F1W - What does it mean?

[deedubya3800]

I know the W means that it lacks Bell System markings. Who were these units sold to, and where were they used?

[LarryInMichigan]

I think that it has been mentioned a few times here in the past that the 'W' designation was used on parts made for non-Bell System phone companies.

Larry

[Phonesrfun]

They were sold to many, many places outside the Bell system.  Independant telephone companies, like rural co-op phone companies, the military, and electrical supply companies like Graybar Electric, to name a few.

[deedubya3800]

We have a rural co-op where I live that's been in business since about 1904. I have to wonder if they ever had any of these Western Electric sets. Nowadays all their leased equipment is ITT and Cortelco, with the 2500 and 2554 in ash being their most popular models and color. I've talked to a couple of people there, and no one seems to know if there might be some old equipment stuffed away anywhere, but surely somebody's got something somewhere they're just not talking about.