HISTORY:
At the beginning of my career in electronics, many moons ago, I worked in the telephony industry in NZ. After a few years in the tech side (Fault Control Centre & Exchange techie) I could see the rapid advancement of technology would mean the end of my job as I knew it and left that industry.
However the flame has always burned for all things relating to telephones, both at the subscriber, exchange and all things in between (even loading coils!) So whenever I crossed paths with some telephone equipment, I 'collected' it.
The last few years have been cleanup time with a LOT of the gear finding new owners and now I am approaching the end of my telephone gear collection but I still find some 'dribs n drabs' of equipment - this subscriber instrument is one of those items.
Before it underwent 'the operation' on the workshop bench, this was a type 746 subscriber telephone BUT the rotary dial and case had already been donated to other equipment and I was now left with the 'carcass' showing in one of the phototgraphs.
To the best of my knowledge, this would appear to be a British made instrument not local to Australia or NZ although I think STC Australia had a hand in similar equipment. In my description of this telephone component, I provide all of the identification markings I can see so that you can make sure this component will suit your own telephone.
British Post Office liked to name their telephones at this time and this Brown cased 746 was called the "Yeoman"
Obviously this component is aimed at those who share a similar passion for those good ol' days of 2 wire lines, A & B wires, 'boxes' and 'cabinets' and who could forget those aerial lines (meaning wires up in the air between poles) with the glass or porcelain insulators? In the exchange, that never ending sound of the uniselectors and switches moving all the time, especially when the local radio station had a 'call in' competition ... Ah ... those were the days
Enough of the background to this component, time to tell you all about it ...
If this component from the 746 instrument isn't what you are looking for ... try searching HERE
STC (STANDARD TELEPHONE & CABLES) UK - Subscriber Telephone Component
Removed from what was left of a BPO type 746 instrument (see photograph prior to the 'operation')
Component: Steel (ferrous) chassis with mechanical switch hook assembly ONLY
As used in the type 746 subscriber telephone
Part #: 617/1/02161/102
On the outside of the rivetted switch hook frame there stamped into the metal the number 25 & 20 on one side and 31 & 26 on the other
There are no other printed or stamped identification or country of manufacture markings underneath or topside
All four rubber feet and included, secure in place
Each "opening" in the base, such as the bells area, has a firmly stuck on clear plastic membrane on the inside to prevent external dirt/dust/water getting inside via these holes.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN
NO damage to any of the metal work (no bends or broken pieces)
NO damage to either of the switch hooks, which include the Black plastic top "caps"
I have now packed this basic metal frame into a clear plastic packet to protect it from the environment.
