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Western Electric wooden telephone types

Started by Sargeguy, May 04, 2013, 07:12:12 PM

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Sargeguy

Starting a new reference category to identify the different types of wooden telephone boxes made by WE.  Right now I am sticking to boxes that have "TYPE XXX" stamped on them.  I will expand the list post more detailed descriptions and pictures as time permits.  The quoted specs are from the 1899 Western Electric Telephone Apparatus catalog. Feel free to contribute.

Wooden telephones were the earliest type of commercial telephone.  The early years saw a variety of designs but by the time Western Electric became the supplier of telephone equipment to the American Bell Telephone Company the  basic designs had been worked out.  The three box Blake type predominated early on, with the combination of magneto and switch top-box, transmitter and battery box attached to a back board.  Once this design became obsolete, many of the top boxes were preserved and used for other purposes like compact wall phones or candlestick subsets.  As a result, wooden telephone boxes are are a pretty common sight on eBay.  There is a large variety of manufacturers who made wooden phones, and many are mis-identified as Western Electric.  Even the ones marked Western Electric can be a source of confusion, due to the variety of sets produced.  In some cases the same code was used on different set produced years apart from one another.

TYPE 1
Magneto top box.  Some of these were equipped with switches for use as top box on a 3-boxer or other early phones.  Some had no hook and were used as subsets for candlesticks.



QuoteNo. 1.
Obsolete, replaced by No. 2 set.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 712.
Switch No. 1006.
Generator No . 1201.
Ringer No. 1501-A.

TYPE 2
Magneto top box



QuoteNo. 2
Standard Series Magneto.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 701.
Switch No. 1001, having one lower and two upper contacts.
Closed circuit generator No. 1201, platinum pointed.
Short 80 ohm ringer No. 1501-A.

TYPE 3

QuoteObsolete, replaced by No. 2 set.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 713.
Switch No. 1001.
Generator No. 1209 .
Ringer No. 1501-A.

TYPE 4
Magneto top box used on 3-Boxers with Blake transmitters.  Unmarked as to type. Can be distinguished from the TYPE 21 by the 3- 4 hinges that hold the door on and act as conductors.

QuoteObsolete, replaced by No. 21 set•
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 714.
Switch No. 1002.
Generator No. 1211.
Ringer No. 1506-A.

TYPE 5

Magneto box used in conjunction with a terminal strip, extension ringer and early desk stand.


TYPE 10:

QuoteNo. 10. Bridging Magneto.

Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 717.
Switch No. 1002, having two upper contacts.
Open oircuit generator No. 12030
Short 1000 ohm ringer No. 1501-C.

TYPE 21

Magneto top box generally configured on a three-boxer with Blake transmitter (or #5 arm) but used for other purposes and recycled over the years.



QuoteStandard Bridging Magneto.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 702.
Switch No. 1002, having two upper contacts.
Open circuit generator No. 1203.
Long 1000 ohm ringer No. 1506-A.

TYPE 24
Small Common-battery subset resembling a ringer box mounted on a backboard. Apparently made for a few years between the late 1890s early 1900s and are transitional between a TYPE 101 and a TYPE 295A.  These feature external binding posts for the line and subset cords (24F), or for just the line (24J).   



TYPE 32

QuoteBridging Magneto in oak box with glass front, parts nickel plated.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 719. Formerly, when generator with large gear was used in this set, woodwork and trimmings was No. 718.
Switch No. 1010, having two upper contacts.
Open circuit generator No. 1221. Formerly generator No. 1219, having large gear, was used in this set.
Long 1000 ohm ringer No. 1517-A.

TYPE 43
QuoteStandard Bridging Extension Bell.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 704.
Long 1000 ohm ringer No. 1506-A.

TYPE 43J



QuoteStandard party line extension bell.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 706.
Long 2500 ohm ringer No. 1511-B, having bias spring
attachment.

TYPE 43P
QuoteStandard Series Extension Bell.
Consists o~:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 703.
Short 80 ohm ringer No. 1501-A.

TYPE 44
Magneto top box similar to a TYPE 21 with an exclusion switch 



QuoteFour party lines set, for use with a local battery
circuit.
Sometimes known as the •Geneseo• bell.
Provided with ringer transposing attachments for party line combinations.

Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 705.
Switch No. 1003, having two upper contacts, and a ground spring, which makes a passing contact while lever is being either raised or lowered.
Long 2500 ohm ringer No. 1511-B, having bias spring attachment.

TYPE 48
2500 ohm ringer box



TYPE 57
Medium sized ringer box.  N.E.T.&T. only.



TYPE 67

QuoteBridging metallic circuit toll l ine magneto, adapted to call the exchange without ringing the other stations on the line. Wired so that subscriber must listen in before ringing.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 720. Formerly, when generator with large gear was used in this set, woodwork and trimmings was No. 707.
Switch No. 1002, having two upper contacts.
Closed circuit generator No. 1223, having a commutator to give pulsating current.
Formerly generator No. 1205, having large gear, was used with this set.
Long 1000 ohm ringer No. 1515-A, having light spring on armature, to prevent bell from tapping when subscriber rings.

TYPE 68 and 68E

QuoteStandard common battery set in magneto style box.

Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 708.
Switch No. 1004, having two upper contacts, all
circuits insulated from lever.
No. 6 condenser.
Long 1000 ohm ringer No. 1508-A.





TYPE 70

QuoteNo. 70. Bridging metallic circuit toll line magneto, having
switching key so that different sections of the line
may be used at the same time.
Wired so that subscriber may listen in before ringing.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 721.
Switch No. 1011, having one lower and two upper
contacts.
No. 113 key, having an extension arm which engages
with the switch.
Closed circuit generator No. 1225, having a special
switching device, platinum pointed.
Long 1000 ohm ringer No. 1506-A.

TYPE 72
Magneto top box Similar to the TYPE 21 but with a coil in the box rather than in the base of the #5 arm

QuoteNo.72-Four party line bridging magneto, for use with a local battery circuit. Modeled after No. 21 set. Provided with ringer transposing attachments for party line combinations.

Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 709.
Switch No. 1002, having two upper contacts.
Open circuit generator No. 1207, having two magnets only.
Long 2500 ohm ringer No. 1511-B, having bias spring attachment.

TYPE 73
Common battery fiddleback similar to TYPE 85
QuoteObsolete, replaced by No. 99 set.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 710.
Switch No. 1004.
No. 6 condenser.
Ringer No. 1513-B.

TYPE 78
QuoteNo. 78. Common battery set for use in connection with desk stands. Modeled after No. 68 set.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 722.
No. 6 condenser.
Long 1000 ohm ringer No. 1508-A.









TYPE 85

QuoteNo. 85-Standard common battery set having switch, condenser, and ringer mounted at the lower end of a backboard, which forms a part of the instrument.

Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 711.
Switch No. 1005, having two upper aontacts, all circuits insulated from lever.
No. 5 condenser.
Long 1000 ohm ringer No. 1507-A.



TYPE 98

QuoteStandard four party line common battery set. Modeled after No. 85 set.
Provided with ringer transposing attachments for party pariy line combinations.

Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 715.
Switch No. 1005, having two upper contacts, all
circuits insulated from lever.
No. 5 condenser.
Long 2500 ohm ringer No. 1512-B, having bias spring
attachment.
No. 85-A relay.

[/center]
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

Sargeguy

#1
TYPE 101
QuoteNo. 101. Common battery set for use in connection with desk stands.

Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 723.
No. 13 condenser.
Long 1000 ohm ringer No. 1506-A.



TYPE 101E

101E-updated to a 21-D condenser

TYPE 105

QuoteNo. 105. Four party line common battery set for use in connection with desk stands.
Modeled after No. 78 set.
Provided with ringer transposing attachments for party line combinations.

Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 724.
No. 5 condenser.
Long 2500 ohm ringer No. 1513-B, having bias spring
attachment.
No. 85-A relay.


TYPE 111
Large extension ringer box with 4" bells. N.E.T.&T. Co. only.



TYPE 115G
Common Battery Subset

[img width=500mg]http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=9359.0;attach=105498;image[/img]

TYPE 119

QuoteBridging Magneto, with five magnet generator.
Consists of:-
Woodwork and trimmings No. 725.
Switch No. 1014, having two upper contacts.
Open circuit generator No. 1227.
Long 2500-ohm ringer No. 1506-B.

TYPE 124
Common Battery compact wall telephone, only available in oak.


TYPE 127
Medium-sized ringer box

TYPE 138A

3-Bar magneto box and coil

TYPE 150

2500 ohm ringer box with 2.5" bells
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

Sargeguy

#2
212F
"condenser box" whatever that means

232E
Similar to a 240 but with a 5-bar magneto and a hook that is above the magneto not in front of it.

TYPE 240
An early example of the Bell Systems wholesale repurposing of old parts.  These are two boxers that use older top boxes  rewired for use with a #10 arm by adding an induction coil.  They may or may not use new backboards and battery boxes, or they may use older existing types.  Sometimes the two outside terminals are removed and the holes plugged.  There is a lot of variation among the components used in these phones.  The one thing they have in common is the #10 arm.  I have a TYPE 32 glass door top box that was usef on one.  I have seen an oak sunburst tandem that was converted and used a modified TYPE 44 box.  Usually a #5 arm was replaced, but sometimes a 242 or even a Blake was upgraded.




259A
Looks like an extension ringer with a condenser inside or a compact subset



TYPE 270
A single gong compact wall phone in oak.  Similar to a 293A electronically, with the exception of the ringer.

TYPE 273F
A single gong wooden subset in oak.  Similar to a 295A electronically, with the exception of the ringer.



TYPE 281
Metal wallphone on wooden backboard

TYPE 288
Local Battery Fiddleback

TYPE 293
Common battery compact wall telephone that has several variants.  Came in both walnut and oak.  Varieties include:

293A common "private line" telephone
293AE Railway "PUSH TO TALK RELEASE TO LISTEN" w/ head banc receiver
293AK Railway "PUSH TO TALK RELEASE TO LISTEN" w/ watchcase receiver no ringer
293AL Railway "PUSH TO TALK RELEASE TO LISTEN" w/ head banc receiver no ringer
293AP-Lacks induction coil and uses a 21-F condenser
293J hotel or "apartment" phone equipped with buzzer and switches for janitor manager and or door latch
293J equipped with a coin collector
293Y-Local battery/common battery hybrid

TYPE 294
Similar to a 293 but mounted on a backboard with writing shelf

Alternately a common battery fiddleback:



TYPE 295
Common battery subscriber set.  Available in walnut and oak.  Came in several variations, usually these referred to the different types of ringer for party line set ups.

295A-Standard,subset used with desk stands
295AA-For local battery talking and central battery signalling service
295AC-Extension set with no ringer
295AK-Railroad apparatus-no ringer
295AM-For central battery selective harmonic ringing service
295AN-For central battery selective harmonic ringing service
295AP--For central battery selective harmonic ringing service
295AR--For central battery selective harmonic ringing service
295AT-For party line service
295AW-For series selective signalling service
295AY-For series selective signalling service
295BA-For series harmonic selective signalling service
295BB-For series harmonic selective signalling service
295BL-For party line Service
295BP-295 subset that was painted black and...


295L-extension ringer with no coil
295S-


TYPE 296
Common battery wall phone for party line service.  Slightly longer than a 295, includes a relay switch.  Found in walnut and oak.



TYPE 297
Part line subset with that uses a relay



TYPE 298AP


TYPE 299
5-Bar magneto
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

Sargeguy

#3
TYPE 301A
Local Battery fiddleback


TYPE 303A
Small 3-bar magneto in walnut box


TYPE 305
Magneto wall phone

TYPE 312
Common Battery Fiddleback used with a howler

TYPE 315
Standard Magneto box used with candlesticks and later telephones.

TYPE 317
C0mmon/Local Battery Wall Phone made in several variations
317A-Moderate load rural service
317E-Heavy load rural service
317F-Moderate load rural service
317H-Light load bridging

TYPE 318
Small oak intercom ringer box



TYPE 385A
Small plug box
495BP
Converted 295A subset that uses cowbells and was painted black
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

poplar1

Type 303A
"C'est pas une restauration, c'est une rénovation."--François Martin.

Sargeguy

Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

poplar1

#6
"C'est pas une restauration, c'est une rénovation."--François Martin.

poplar1

TYPE 115G
Common Battery Subset

This one has a TYPE 203 Cover
"C'est pas une restauration, c'est une rénovation."--François Martin.

poplar1

TYPE 5
"C'est pas une restauration, c'est une rénovation."--François Martin.

Fabius

#9
Type 68E Common battery set. This is one WECO phone not usually seen. Notice the unusual transmitter mount and the thick backboard. There's a large condenser (capacitor) mounted in the backboard. Also on the top left is a serial number starting with a C. Walnut.
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Fabius

Already listed with a picture by Sargeguy. Here's some additional pictures. This box is marked TYPE 24 on the side and 24F on top under the serial number. I believe this one is an earlier one because of the small terminals used.
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Fabius

Small common battery set. 298AP
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Fabius

Ring box marked: SPECIAL TYPE 127H
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Fabius

385a
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

poplar1

#14
Type 10

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121443017566  ( dead link 6/12/23 )
"C'est pas une restauration, c'est une rénovation."--François Martin.