Ericsson N2120H - Provenance?

[russell_w_b]

I have acquired what looks like an Ericsson N2120H magneto telephone as a 'fixer-upper', and it bears the letters 'P&T'. I presume this refers to Posts and Telecommunications, but where? Australia? Ireland? The railways? Attached are three photographs: The terminal cover, the case moulding stamp and the handset lozenge.

Unsure whether it's the original handset as it has four terminals, and the paster diagram (N75142) shows a three-terminal one.

Ideas, anyone?

[JCM3000]

Postal & Telecomms India? It pre-dates partition by a year and ITI by two so would presumably have been British-made.
Is it a telephone 184, a 164 with special extras?

Edit: Bob Freshwater has the N2120H as an Australian model . . .

[russell_w_b]

Originally Posted by JCM3000

Postal & Telecomms India?

Could be; thanks - never thought of that.

Originally Posted by JCM3000

so would presumably have been British-made.

I haven't had a good look at the components yet, as Ericsson models are usually marked with 'N'-numbers, and the only 'N'-number I've seen is on the paster diagram. The bakelite from which the case is made isn't as finer quality as I've seen on later (and earlier) models, so I'm guessing that the quality control wasn't there because of the war. I seem to recall reading something about the filler for the bakelite being perhaps sawdust!

Originally Posted by JCM3000

Is it a telephone 184, a 164 with special extras?

Not sure. I suspect the HMT is not original to the instrument, as it has four wires (like a field-telephone), and the paster diagram - which I take to be original to the telephone - shows three, being the usual commoned mic/receiver on red. When I get a little more into the restoration, I'll check out the wiring to see if it ties in with the paster diagram - it may be in a different case!

It's pretty basic, and hasn't got a capacitor in it. The last time I saw a telephone like this was for local communication on the Workington gas-works about forty-odd years ago.