Anyone know what this is? "Sterling Telephone and Electric company"

[Bomber county]

This has just appeared on a local "selling page" description just says 1920's radio? Can anyone enlighten me further? It says "Sterling telephone and Electric company" on the white coloured control on the front.

[PJL]

Fascinating. It looks homemade in the mid 20's and appears to have 6 stages. I have sent you a PM.

[Bomber county]

Just got back from having a look at this, chap is not sure if he wants to sell now or donate to a museum. Its got the original Amplion horn speaker with it and a box full of NOS spare valves and is in "timewarp condition" for 100 years old. Belonged to his great grand father who was in the RFC and is only a stones throw from where an early RFC base used to be. The big question is, could this possibly be an early military transmitter/receiver? and what is it worth?

[Terry_VK5TM]

The Science museum has a collection of "Sterling telephone and Electric company" items and should be able to identify it.

If it was to be donated, they would probably also appreciate that.

It probably dates to before 1926, when the Marconi company bought them out and looks to be a successor to their No 1 Receiver (for telephone communications).

[Bomber county]

It does have some striking similarities to this set.

The family that owned it lived in a big Manor house with "downstairs staff" so were presumably quite wealthy folk.

[Graham G3ZVT]

Originally Posted by Bomber county

Just got back from having a look at this, chap is not sure if he wants to sell now or donate to a museum. Its got the original Amplion horn speaker with it and a box full of NOS spare valves and is in "timewarp condition" for 100 years old. Belonged to his great grand father who was in the RFC and is only a stones throw from where an early RFC base used to be. The big question is, could this possibly be an early military transmitter/receiver? and what is it worth?

Perhaps he would consent to some high resolution images being taken of the outside and inside, and posted publicly, so we could all explore this remarkable set virtually?

[PJL]

I was considering going to look myself. It looks like a home-built radio from around 1925 made from standard parts and would be for domestic and not military use. It appears to have 6 valves judging by the line of 6 rheostats. It looks experimental as it appears to have two independent socket sets for regenerative coils and various other controls. Would be interesting to see whats inside and the valve types.

[Bomber county]

Originally Posted by rambo1152

Perhaps he would consent to some high resolution images being taken of the outside and inside, and posted publicly, so we could all explore this remarkable set virtually?

I went to look at it but seller has gone quiet on me now....he was on about donating it to the science museum instead of selling. I still have to photos of the inside, I will try and add them.

[Bomber county]

Photos