Bell System Propane furnace

[Dave F]

In the old days, splices in large telephone cables were sheathed with lead.  Joints in the lead were sealed by wiping additional molten lead across them.  This was a dangerous, messy and time-consuming process, particularly when working high up on aerial cables or hunkered down in tight manhole vaults.  Modern chemical sealants have mostly made this process obsolete; however, it still is being done in some rural areas and in other places where very old cables need to be serviced.

Here is a relic from that past: Bell System D propane furnace (manufactured by Goss Inc. of Glenshaw, PA).  This particular unit has never been used and remains in uncommonly nice condition.  Also included are a cast-iron smelting pot, lead ladle, and two five-pound bars of lead.  All of these items are marked "Bell System".

I'm sure you will agree that no telephone collection could ever be considered complete without a setup like this.🤣

The BSP on the furnace is 081-330-115

DF