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Old 28th Oct 2018, 10:40 am   #1
Neil1970
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Default Resto for gift (field telephone)

Hi there.
This is my first post and a call out for help. I purchased an old field telephone similar to what my grandad used many years ago. I'm looking at getting it cleaned up to a point of not ruining it's character. (It's going to be an ornamental gift for my grandad) Any advice on what would be a good way to go about it would be, also the handset cable needs to be replaced as it's split in half.
The internals are to far gone inside for it ever to work but just a piece to sit on the side would be fantastic for him. Also any idea on where I can get some history on this model would be fantastic.

Many thanks in advance
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Old 28th Oct 2018, 2:33 pm   #2
TonyDuell
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

This looks like a UK type 'F' field telephone. A google search for 'uk field telephone F' (no quotes) seems to produce some useful results.
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Old 28th Oct 2018, 2:59 pm   #3
Dave Moll
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

In fact it looks like the less common Mk I version - with a metal case rather than the bakelite of the Mk II. Unfortunately, the paintwork is probably beyond saving and it will be necessary to strip off and respray.

As to the innards - you say that they are too far gone, but is there a chance of a peek inside to confirm whether they are savable?
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Old 29th Oct 2018, 8:09 am   #4
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

You may buy better cords, but I have made my own at a low budget by using a pretty soft telephone cord with at least 4 conductors, and used a loooong shoe (boot) lace as the textile around it.

Painting as Dave described looks like a good idea.
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Old 29th Oct 2018, 9:18 am   #5
Neil1970
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

I've cleaned it up a little with a soft brush and it's a Type 'F' Mk1 and made in Ilford, London. I agree on the paint and it seems like a cast alloy body, would it have been a gloss or satin black in colour? The Bakelite is in very good condition with no cracks which is good and will need to source a vintage cable for effect as old one is snapped in half.
On the inside it's very bad, all cables are brittle and terminals too. What could have leaked has and the only thing working is the winding handle, and the pressel button on the hand set. (I'll upload pictures after work).

Any advice on the best paint to use, and how to clean up the Bakelite would be grateful (I'm using Brasso at the moment) and also if anyone knows about a place where I can get a cord would be good too (I'm struggling to find a 4 core).

Many thanks for your replies.
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Old 29th Oct 2018, 12:03 pm   #6
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil1970 View Post
I agree on the paint and it seems like a cast alloy body, would it have been a gloss or satin black in colour?
Judging by mine (see below), I would say satin would be the best match. Certainly, it wouldn't have been gloss. It's probably best to do a test on a hidden part (say the base) to judge how the finish looks.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil1970 View Post
What could have leaked has and the only thing working is the winding handle, and the pressel button on the hand set.
Incidentally, if your handset has a pressel button, it is not the correct one for a telephone set "F". Perhaps it would be easier to replace the handset, cable and plug as a unit (such as this one) than attempting to find an appropriate cable as a stand-alone item.

That's a shame. The most likely culprit for leakage would have been the battery (originally 2x Battery Dry No. 12).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil1970 View Post
Any advice on ... how to clean up the Bakelite would be grateful (I'm using Brasso at the moment)
I would suggest Greygate Paste Polishing No. 5.
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Old 29th Oct 2018, 2:06 pm   #7
Neil1970
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

Thank you Dave, I've just ordered some paste and will jump on the wife's eBay account when I get home after work.
I'll strip the box out tonight and get it prepped for respray and I am looking forward to seeing the results.

Thanks again
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Old 29th Oct 2018, 5:08 pm   #8
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

As promised please find some pics of the inside and general condition.
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Old 29th Oct 2018, 8:28 pm   #9
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

Looks more like (very) damp storage rather than battery leakage.

Worse things have been restored but the time investment is considerable!
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Old 29th Oct 2018, 9:27 pm   #10
Neil1970
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

Quote:
Worse things have been restored but the time investment is considerable!
I totally agree, the phone only cost £10 from an antiques/bric 'n' brac shop, and with a few quid doing up the outside it should make a nice piece to have on show
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Old 30th Oct 2018, 3:46 pm   #11
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

Nice one! You did very well to get that for £10! In average condition these are going for between £50 and £100. A good polish up will make this a lovely display piece or prop, I am sure that most of these will have gone a bit musty inside by now anyway. Just goes to show, you can't beat the junk shops and car boots, just get out there.
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Old 30th Oct 2018, 5:24 pm   #12
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

That will polish up well, nice find.
 
Old 30th Oct 2018, 7:14 pm   #13
Dave Moll
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

I see what you mean about the innards being a bit far gone - though the buzzer unit (on the right with the pair of knobs) looks still to be in good condition.

Be aware that if the magneto is still in working order, turning the handle while in contact with the line terminals is not a good idea!
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Old 30th Oct 2018, 7:38 pm   #14
Neil1970
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

I'll post a pic of it when it's finished, and if anyone is interested and wants the buzzer unit then give us a pm and I'll get it posted ( it would be nice to see it go to good use)
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Old 30th Oct 2018, 9:31 pm   #15
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

I could be interested in that buzzer, but before I say I am, I have to search advice from the real experts here, I have a MK 1 made in UK, used in the Norwegian forces around 1950. It does not have the buzzer, just an induction coil plugged in. Works like charm on CB and magneto systems.

Was thet buzzer replacement used when it was hard to make the right spares in the end of WWii ?
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Old 31st Oct 2018, 12:22 am   #16
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

The induction coil was the 'replacement' . The phones were originally fitted with buzzer and a switchboard it was used with was the 'Switchboard, Universal Call 10 line' (or 6 line). The switchboard was a lamp calling switchboard using a finely adjusted sensitive relay which would operate and lock in to either the AC ringing current from the generator or the A/C produced by the buzzer.

But towards the end of WW2, the 'Switchboard, 10 line Magneto' was introduced to replace the Switchboard UC and the drop flaps only operated to the magneto AC ringing - hence the demise of the buzzer calling.

The 'Switchboard UC' was still to be found in service when I was in the Royal Signals some 50/60 years ago. How time flies when you're having fun!
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Old 31st Oct 2018, 7:23 pm   #17
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

Geoff Mawdsley makes exact replicas of the cords for these field telephones to special order. Website at
http://www.telephonecords.co.uk

He says: I did some army telephone cords the other month for an exercise as the patriotic red white and blue stripes fascinated me!

You can pay by PayPal. Please use the Friends and Family option to save fees and give me your address in an e-mail sent direct, as they don't forward your address as we are ‘friends’!! They are £15 each plus £4 post to UK addresses, Any overpayment will be refunded.

Kind regards Geoff Mawdsley, I can make any pattern of cords using an old braiding machine that I own.

[urjoking_uk(at)hotmail.com]
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Old 7th Nov 2018, 8:08 pm   #18
Neil1970
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

Just an update on the restoration of the phone I'd thought share with you. It was never going to be 100% as it was back in the day and since it was going to be a cosmetic piece on the side I wanted it to look cleaner without taking to much of the originality away.

The first 2 pics are of the condition when I received it.
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Old 7th Nov 2018, 8:48 pm   #19
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

You have done a great job with it!
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Old 8th Nov 2018, 10:25 am   #20
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Default Re: Resto for gift (field telephone)

That now looks very good. What paint did you choose in the end?
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