WE did prime the phones with a brown/orange color. Usuall these sets were metal. Is yours. It should have had clear plungers and Ivory cloth cords. made in the mid 50s when was doing anything to get color phones for sale. Just like the 202 Continentals in another post. What is the date of the phone base etc. This is a really nice phone. After a wash to get the dirt off, I'd use Brasso to shine it. Not too much elbow grease to remove the paint. if you are nervous about Brasso, try Norus II. Really nice phone.
Does the clear finger wheel attach with an "X" type flange. You will know right away as the metal forms an X and the finger wheel is much thicker. 4H is a nice find, I have seen them with a painted 5J as well. ...Doug