Is phone a reproduction or original?

[long jumper]

Could someone please let me know if phone is a repro or original. Also what is push button on top of phone left side for?   

[long jumper]

Photos of phone

[SUnset2]

It looks to me like a real vintage phone, probably Danish or Swedish.  The Western Electric dial was likely added later.  The button probably connects one side of the line to ground, for example, to alert a PBX that you want an outside line.  It may have had other uses as well.

[rdelius]

I think the telephone started out as a taller magnito set but was cut down .Most likely danish but us dial added

[SUnset2]

I think the telephone started out as a taller magnito set but was cut down...

That's quite possible.  I have a Danish magneto phone that is about the same base dimensions, but about twice as tall.  Mine has a dial added, but it is a Danish dial. 

[dsk]

I would say it is an old phone with a new American dial.
My first idea was one like this, but it is not the same base: http://www.hjordis.se/jla/tfn/app/bc310/index.html

[HarrySmith]

Phones like that were imported by the boatload back in the 70's or 80's. The parts were mixed & matched so it could have real parts from different phones. Dials were all added. I had a customer a while back who collected real ones. He purchased several with mixed parts just for the useful parts. Some were very nice with silk cords & gold finishes.

[countryman]

Still a nice phone and not overpriced.

[long jumper]

Thanks for all your input!

[long jumper]

Seller sent more photos of Danish phone, Line cord enters in back side of phone. Is that a connection block of some kind ? WILL SEND PICK

[dsk]

I believe it is a plug.

[countryman]

Yes it is, but for the handset cord.

The function of the button was discussed in this thread:
https://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=20894.15
It originally was a "push to hear louder" button, and also had to do with ringing. I guess the phone was converted to CB automatic service, and the button now is without function.

[dsk]

May this be relevant? http://mini.ptt-museum.dk/telefonmuseet/uk/page0021.html

[countryman]

Hard to guess from the perspective in the starting post, but it might indeed show this shorter version (pic from link).

BUT, is the description in the text correct?

The alternator ringing system was mainly used by larger companies with many extension telephones connected to a switchboard. When pushing the red button the alternator sends out the alternating ringing current that you normally had to generate yourselves by turning the crank.

I suppose it is just a CB manual set, which was beefed up with a dial when it came to the U.S.