C&P Empress 2, Empress parts

[RotoTech99]

Dear CRPF & Harrysmith:

I got a C&P Empress 2 phone today that has all WE components. It's similar to the last picture here.

Attached is a picture of the base's internals, the 2nd picture shows the 9 lead "plunger" hookswitch that has a blue and blue white lead in addition to the regular 7 leads.

This hookswitch can be wired as a 7 lead switchhook if the blue and blue/white leads are not present or damaged.

The network is a WE4228D, the dial is a WE35AH3D, the ringer a P1 Type,the polarity guard is the orange box.

All of the internals are WE, the base shell and outer handset parts are Decotel.

This info is also intended to help locate parts I need to finish out two Empress sets I'm still working on.

WIRING & SCHEMATIC NOTE: The WE schematic wiring diagram for the Design Line sets fitted with the new 9 lead hookswitch and revised wiring for it WILL ALSO APPLY to the C&P Empress 2 despite the absence of a WE BSP specifically covering it.

Rototech99

[RotoTech99]

Had a slight minor setback with this particular Empress II; The modular handset jack in the handset broke, so I took a hardwired handset that matched the sets color that came from another Empress and installed it, along with the inserts to make the base appear to accept hardwired cords.

Other than that, I relugged a dial wire that lost the "spade" off of its end.

All in all, not bad for having two problems come up at the same time.

Rototech99

[poplar1]

So, did the Empress ever use the Western Electric 581A "drop-in" unit -- where the ringer, network, and hook switch were all mounted on a metal plate?

[RotoTech99]

Dear CRPF:

The attached picture is of the height doubler plate used in DECOTEL EMPRESS sets to raise the height of the switchhook to meet the cradle shaft actuator and operate the switchhook.

In some instances, it is not necessary to use it; the white mark indicates where an extra hole would be to allow mounting of a plunger button 9 lead switchhook.

The second switchhook doubler plate is used with Decotel AA4100 Candlestick deskstand sets used with a subset.

Rototech99