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 component is one of those items.
Before this 802 underwent 'the operation' on the workshop bench, this was a type 802 subscriber telephone BUT the handset was not serviceable and the case had already been donated to other equipment
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? ... Ah those were the days
Enough of the background to this component, time to tell you all about it ...
STC - Rotary Telephone Dial
Removed from an early 802 Series telephone subscriber instrument
Part # DIL 71816 1970 (these details are printed on the rear dial backplate)
Often referred to as the DMS-1 dial with the Metallic Gold fillets pointing to the outer number ring. The backplate is solid metal and the metal finger ring is screwed into this back plate.
The central snap fit clear cover IS NOT provided ... the new owner will need to already have one of these and the light cardboard disc (LISTEN FOR DIAL TONE).
I have seen others offering these cardboard disc inserts online over the years
The rear dial mechanism clear protective cover is fitted - inside is very clean.
The original colour coded 5 female spade connectors with leads are fitted, ready to go once again ...
The outer metal mounting bracket is attached and supplied with the dial
The two side soft plastic slot supports are NOT supplied with this dial but are available as a separate item HERE
TESTING:
Removed from a working telephone instrument (which has since become an organ donor due to the damaged handset)
Very nice smooth dial rotation, "sounds' like the correct speed and I would assume the mark/space ratio is still correct. No "hesitation" to the rotation of the dial, just that nice purrrring sound! No-one has been playing around trying to adjust this dial (and adjustments can be made to the speed and mark/space ratio but you need to know what you are doing!)
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN
Metallic Gold fillets inside each number finger hole are undamaged.
The metal finger stop is also undamaged and not loose.
Overall the plastic has a very slight yellowish appearance which is no doubt due to previous cleaning using household cleaners - these are NOT good for the humble telephone and eventually lead to the colours fading or changing slightly. The change in colour is not serious but it is noticeable.
ISSUE!
While the dial is in very good condition, it is not perfect. The number finger ringer has a light crack between positions "3" & "4" - the ring is not weakened at all but you can see it if you look closely.
These dials are just a dream to work on anyway and if it was desired to change/replace any component of the dial, it is an easy task (if you have the spare parts!)
This dial has now been sealed in clear plastic to preserve the condition while it awaits a new owner
