POST MASTER GENERAL (PMG)
(Post Master General ... predating Telecom)
As issued by PMG to their linemen back in the 1960's
This was way back in the days when PMG were the ONLY people working on the telephone lines, NO sub-contractors in those days. PMG trained their own staff, had their own workshops and this instrument was MADE IN AUSTRALIA, probably by STC or AWA
HOW WERE THESE 'BUTTS' USED?
The linesman is up the pole or down at the cabinet, calls the Test Desk to get information about what pair he is supposed to be checking, the Test Desk did the line tests (the 'desk' had ALL the network cabling records and special desks with a central meter to make the line tests as they could access ALL parts of the network from a central point - no automated line testing back in those days!) and the linesman would either sort out the issue (with aerial lines it was common to have 'wires down' or if underground cable, insulation issues or pair breakdown so the lineman would change the 'pair' of wires the subscriber was connected to)
For the linesman, the 'butt' was a vital means of communicating while on the job (no mobiles in those days) as he was often working 'blind' and relied on the technical information from the Test Clerk.
Typical Test Desk (Large Central Office)
Notice the tech staff are dressed in suits!
I worked in one of those places and that was 'standard dress' in those days!
Although not too clear, the stamped label on the handset is shown in one of the photographs.
1960's era
Brown/Red in colour (difficult to get it right in the photo's but it is pretty close)
Metal rotary dial, type 66
Carbon mic insert, dynamic receiver insert
In the old days you could often see a lineman, ladder against the pole and way up the ladder he worked on the aerial telephone lines, one of these buttinski's would be dangling from his waist or wedged in the crook of his neck while trying to speak with "the desk"
Switch on the side "loops" the line so the lineman can dial numbers (usually back to the Test Desk) and of course, speak with the Test Desk staff (what pair is that again?)
So the lineman clips the alligator clips across the telephone pair and away you go.
TESTED on our copper based line here at the house (yes we still have one of those!) and fully functioning, out going calls and receive along with plenty of sidetone i.e transmitter works.
When there is an incoming call, it "purrrrrs" from the receiver (like a little loudspeaker) and NORMALLY a light will flash but the little sub-miniature incandescent lamp is faulty so I removed it. If you really want to, then you need to get a replacement lamp (see photograph for the base - I measure around 6V when it is ringing)
Dial speed is fine, not too fast or too slow (should be around 10 pulses per second)
Line cord is in great shape too
The plastic casing is of course marked, has a few light scratches but NO cracks or broken parts - all quite normal for an instrument that was intended for outdoor use, in fact if you are offered a butt that looks like new, be suspicious - someone has repainted or changed the body. These butts were the everyday workhorse for a lineman, they got knocked around a lot.
These are extremely hard to find now (remember these were PMG issue, not privately purchased and in fact should have been returned to the 'yard') and a must for anyone who is truly "into" the historical days of Australian wired telephony, particularly the PMG era, when every linesmen would have one of these hanging off their belt while out on the road ... nice butt, mate!
Geez, remember the old PMG/Telecom 'yards' filled with Telecom vans and a hive of activity sad to see the end of that era with the industry now dominated by 'subbies'
