I found this wooden hand crank phone today at the thrift store. I don't know if it's a good deal or not so I passed it up. However, I am still curious to know more about it. Also, I would love to know if it is possible to actually use a hand crank phone as a phone in the modern world.
These wall phones were used towards the end of the wooden phone era, 30s-40s. If you like it, I wouldn't pay very much for it as they don't typically fetch significant $$$.
I would not pay the asking price, $49.00 is too high. Usually those shops will take half, that would be a better price. It can be modified to use on a regular phone line today without much difficulty. What is the metal thing on top?
Quote from: HarrySmith on August 09, 2019, 12:39:33 PM
What is the metal thing on top?
I don't know but often a capacitor is added like that when the phone is installed in the field. The purpose of the capacitor is to prevent the phone from disabling the entire party line if the handset is left off the hook. The bells will ring even of a phone is off hook.
Jack
I think $49.00 is a fine price to pay for a working phone... at that age, it could even be changed to dial by adding an adapter...