W.E. 293A

[slimjim]

Hello Members,
I just purchased a 1st generation W.E. 293A Personal Wall Phone. I am planing to restore it. I am trying to find out what a restored value is before I put a lot of money in it. I should say before my wife kicks me out.  Could anyone enlighten me?
Thanks, Slimjimmcd

[NorthernElectric]

I can't help you with the value, but doesn't your wife buy lots of stuff that you don't see much sense in?   

[Phonesrfun]

I did a restoration of a 293 a few years ago, and it hardly cost a thing to do the wood, and the receiver cord was cheap enough.  The biggest cost was having the metal parts re nickeled, but I had them done very reasonably by a fellow collector who participates here on this board.  Best bet is to check eBay auctions for the value, because that is really a subjective thing and depends on many variables.

Good luck with it and post some before and after pictures.

The 293A is a small, cute phone, but I am curious why you termed it as being a "personal" wall phone?

Here is a link to my post for that:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8362.msg90550#msg90550

Cheers

[Sargeguy]

I have a dozen or so and value depends upon a variety of factors.  Oak vs walnut, if it has stamps versus decals, and how early the hardware is.  The most sought after versions have stamped patent dates, OST receivers, and *229* transmitters.

[slimjim]

I can't help you with the value, but doesn't your wife buy lots of stuff that you don't see much sense in?   

Yeah , That is true. But I dare no bring that up.

[slimjim]

I did a restoration of a 293 a few years ago, and it hardly cost a thing to do the wood, and the receiver cord was cheap enough.  The biggest cost was having the metal parts re nickeled, but I had them done very reasonably by a fellow collector who participates here on this board.  Best bet is to check eBay auctions for the value, because that is really a subjective thing and depends on many variables.

Good luck with it and post some before and after pictures.

The 293A is a small, cute phone, but I am curious why you termed it as being a "personal" wall phone?

Here is a link to my post for that:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8362.msg90550#msg90550

Cheers

I referred as personal because it is not a railroad or hotel version. Looks to be a house phone.

[Jim Stettler]

I call all the small wood CB telephones compact woods. "Real" compact wood phones typically have the bells on top. Homemade Compact woods typically use wood subsets and the bells are on the front.  I used to collect the compact woods and probably had at least 20 hanging on the wall at 1 time. The small size allows for a large grouping in a small space.
JMO,
Jim S.l

[slimjim]

I have a dozen or so and value depends upon a variety of factors.  Oak vs walnut, if it has stamps versus decals, and how early the hardware is.  The most sought after versions have stamped patent dates, OST receivers, and *229* transmitters.

It is oak  with stamped pat. #'s . The transmitter is missing. It does have the pony receiver. The receiver hook and the transmitter mount has a brass finish. All others I've seen are nickel. Don't know whats up with that.

[Jim Stettler]

I have a dozen or so and value depends upon a variety of factors.  Oak vs walnut, if it has stamps versus decals, and how early the hardware is.  The most sought after versions have stamped patent dates, OST receivers, and *229* transmitters.

It is oak  with stamped pat. #'s . The transmitter is missing. It does have the pony receiver. The receiver hook and the transmitter mount has a brass finish. All others I've seen are nickel. Don't know whats up with that.

I have seen them with black trim as well. I think "proper" is black or nickel. I suspect yours was probably black that was stripped to brass. Just my guess.
Jim S.

[slimjim]

I have a dozen or so and value depends upon a variety of factors.  Oak vs walnut, if it has stamps versus decals, and how early the hardware is.  The most sought after versions have stamped patent dates, OST receivers, and *229* transmitters.

It is oak  with stamped pat. #'s . The transmitter is missing. It does have the pony receiver. The receiver hook and the transmitter mount has a brass finish. All others I've seen are nickel. Don't know whats up with that.

I forgot it's also missing the bell coils. Got my work cut out for me.

[Doug Rose]

Picture for the collectors (me) who cannot remember the numbers associated with the phones.

Slimjim....post a picture of the inside of your phone. I think I can come up with the parts you need....fatdoug

[slimjim]

I can't help you with the value, but doesn't your wife buy lots of stuff that you don't see much sense in?   

Yeah, I know how that goes. That stuff is okay though.

[slimjim]

Attached are pics of the phone.

[slimjim]

One other with the receiver.

[Sargeguy]

Barn fresh!

This is an excellent start for a project.  It looks all original and has the older style switch hook.  If I were restoring this I would use

-A *229*(best) or *250* (accepable)transmitter with older (pre-star) mouthpiece.  A "w" marked transmitter would okay until you got the right one.
-2-piece cup and lug with ABT markings.  Any cup will do, but this is what it would have come with.
-Older 1000 (500/500) ringer
-Receiver cord, red/blue with spade tips on one end and pins on the other and cloth restraints.  Brown or green were also used later.

Also:
Citrus strip
Golden Shellac.  Dark shellac was also used but does not look as good.
Denatured alcohol