Tele 312L - identity crisis? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

oldmoley1 · 25th Apr 2016, 1:38 pm

I've just acquired a Telephone 312L from a local general auction. Didn't pay too much, and am delighted with it. A few jobs to do, but will give me something to tinker with.

There is some evidence to suggest that the phone may have started life as a CB unit, underwent a refurbishment/conversion by the GPO in 1964. The label on the base supports indicates that a refurbishment was carried out. The handset also carries a marking I haven't seen before, which suggests that the phone may have originally been used on a PBX of some sort. There is no connection at all between the Call Exchange button, and the phone internals.

Any theories or further information folks? I've attached a few photos which I hope will assist.

julie_m · 25th Apr 2016, 2:45 pm

The "Call Exchange" button would originally have been required for a party line. If the other party moved or cancelled their subscription, the remaining party's installation would have had to have been upgraded to a private line, leaving the button disconnected.

Jim_746 · 25th Apr 2016, 3:00 pm

Hello,

The handset markings - 164 PX 45/1 - indicate that it that it was manufactured by Phoenix Telephones & Electrical Works Ltd., London (their manufactures code later changed to PXA).

Regards,

Jim

oldmoley1 · 25th Apr 2016, 8:05 pm

Many thanks. That's a couple of mysteries cleared up so far then!

giraffenigel · 26th Apr 2016, 8:31 am

The Call Exchange button isn't connected because the workings are from a 332, not a 312 and there is no switch present, that's why the button is flush with the case.
It has probably been made up from two separate telephones.

Pellseinydd · 26th Apr 2016, 9:54 am

As I often point out, telephones around these days are very unlikely to be in original condition. Dealers in particular will often swap parts to construct a telephone which will fetch a good price to someone who just wants a 'nice' telephone rather than a collector. Websites cannot always be relied on for correct information. For instance one well known websites states that early 706 telephones had coloured dial finger plates/wheels but later ones were fitted with clear finger plates/wheels. No mention made that the clear finger plates/wheels were introduced with the Tele 746 which replaced the Tele 706 and that after that the dials available for maintenance purposes were ones with clear wheels. I never remember ordering a Tele 706 phone and receiving a brand new 706 with a clear finger wheel.

Hence don't assume that a phone today is in its original condition. The old GPO were one of the first 'green' firms in that much was refurbished by the Post Office Factories Dept from the very early days - look at the Tele No 2's which were rebuilt as Tele 150's!

Ian

oldmoley1 · 26th Apr 2016, 12:25 pm

Many thanks for your replies Ladies and Gents. What giraffenigel has said confirms my early suspicions that the workings were wrong; the plungers are also almost flush with the casing for the same reason. I have a correct unit among my bits and pieces, so I'll fit this. As Ian has said, most telephones have been altered to some degree by now, and there is certainly a lot of conflicting advice regarding the various specifications. Frustrating, but gives us something to occupy ourselves with, doesn't it?

25th Apr 2016, 1:38 pm	#1
oldmoley1 Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northampton, Northants, UK. Posts: 84	Tele 312L - identity crisis? I've just acquired a Telephone 312L from a local general auction. Didn't pay too much, and am delighted with it. A few jobs to do, but will give me something to tinker with. There is some evidence to suggest that the phone may have started life as a CB unit, underwent a refurbishment/conversion by the GPO in 1964. The label on the base supports indicates that a refurbishment was carried out. The handset also carries a marking I haven't seen before, which suggests that the phone may have originally been used on a PBX of some sort. There is no connection at all between the Call Exchange button, and the phone internals. Any theories or further information folks? I've attached a few photos which I hope will assist. Attached Thumbnails

25th Apr 2016, 2:45 pm	#2
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: Tele 312l - identity crisis? The "Call Exchange" button would originally have been required for a party line. If the other party moved or cancelled their subscription, the remaining party's installation would have had to have been upgraded to a private line, leaving the button disconnected. __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.

25th Apr 2016, 3:00 pm	#3
Jim_746 Pentode Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Leyland, Nr. Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 191	Re: Tele 312l - identity crisis? Hello, The handset markings - 164 PX 45/1 - indicate that it that it was manufactured by Phoenix Telephones & Electrical Works Ltd., London (their manufactures code later changed to PXA). Regards, Jim __________________ "And what on earth are you going to do with that?"

25th Apr 2016, 8:05 pm	#4
oldmoley1 Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northampton, Northants, UK. Posts: 84	Re: Tele 312L - identity crisis? Many thanks. That's a couple of mysteries cleared up so far then!

26th Apr 2016, 8:31 am	#5
giraffenigel Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Caernarfon, Gwynedd, UK. Posts: 51	Re: Tele 312L - identity crisis? The Call Exchange button isn't connected because the workings are from a 332, not a 312 and there is no switch present, that's why the button is flush with the case. It has probably been made up from two separate telephones.

26th Apr 2016, 9:54 am	#6
Pellseinydd Heptode Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Flintshire, UK. Posts: 707	Re: Tele 312L - identity crisis? As I often point out, telephones around these days are very unlikely to be in original condition. Dealers in particular will often swap parts to construct a telephone which will fetch a good price to someone who just wants a 'nice' telephone rather than a collector. Websites cannot always be relied on for correct information. For instance one well known websites states that early 706 telephones had coloured dial finger plates/wheels but later ones were fitted with clear finger plates/wheels. No mention made that the clear finger plates/wheels were introduced with the Tele 746 which replaced the Tele 706 and that after that the dials available for maintenance purposes were ones with clear wheels. I never remember ordering a Tele 706 phone and receiving a brand new 706 with a clear finger wheel. Hence don't assume that a phone today is in its original condition. The old GPO were one of the first 'green' firms in that much was refurbished by the Post Office Factories Dept from the very early days - look at the Tele No 2's which were rebuilt as Tele 150's! Ian

26th Apr 2016, 12:25 pm	#7
oldmoley1 Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northampton, Northants, UK. Posts: 84	Re: Tele 312L - identity crisis? Many thanks for your replies Ladies and Gents. What giraffenigel has said confirms my early suspicions that the workings were wrong; the plungers are also almost flush with the casing for the same reason. I have a correct unit among my bits and pieces, so I'll fit this. As Ian has said, most telephones have been altered to some degree by now, and there is certainly a lot of conflicting advice regarding the various specifications. Frustrating, but gives us something to occupy ourselves with, doesn't it?