WWII Type "F" MK II Handset question

[cfrlar1]

I found a WWII Type "F" MK II Field Telephone marked "P.L." instead of what seems to be more usual "T.M.C". All on-line photos of these phones show the handset cord connecting via a four-prong plug. Buy mine is different, as the photos show, and I was wondering why. My phone's handset cord splits into four individual woven cords, each entering into one of the four holes in the bottom right front where the plug would go. The cords are each connected to a terminal inside the base, which you can see when you pull out the induction coil. They are measured exactly to fit. So it looks like it was intended to be this way. Or was it? The handset looks different than others I have seen on the internet, with three screws holding the transmitter cover onto the handset. The transmitter cover has a series of slots where you speak, and the rest is covered. The color and patina of the bakelite on the handset matches the base unit perfectly, and looks original and just as old. I am interested in finding out if the handset and the method by which the handset cord is wired into the base is a standard configuration, or something that was modified at a later time. Thank you!

[russell_w_b]

Originally Posted by cfrlar1

I found a WWII Type "F" MK II Field Telephone marked "P.L." instead of what seems to be more usual "T.M.C".

Manufactured by Plessey rather than the Telephone Manufacturing Company?

But is the handset original to the telephone? It looks foreign to me (French? German?). Any chance of a pic of the microphone and receiver undressed?

Are there any markings on the handset? I can't quite see from the photo.

[AC/HL]

Philips Lamps? They made other military equipment.

[Pellseinydd]

Originally Posted by cfrlar1

I am interested in finding out if the handset and the method by which the handset cord is wired into the base is a standard configuration, or something that was modified at a later time. Thank you!

Definitely not an original handset - I've seen hundreds of Tele F's over the years - many in the days when they were still in use by the Army. That is a handset of foreign original that someone had fitted because they didn't have an original one. Note that the socket into which the original handset is there and all they have done is thread the ends of the replacement handset in through the holds into which the plug went and terminated them on the screw terminals on the rear of the socket.
Ian -
lately (like 50+ years ago!) Lt. R.Signals

[Dave Moll]

Having checked the five "F" Mk IIs in my field telephone collection, I find that one is marked "T.M.C." (Telephone Manufacturing Company), two are marked "P.L." (as described above for Plessey), and the final two have "L.R".

My only "F" Mk I bears a plate labelled "Telephone Mfg. Co." (being metal-cased, it doesn't have the impressed mark), so that makes a total of two from each manufacturer. I hope someone can enlighten me as to what "L.R" stands for?

[cfrlar1]

Thank you all for your informative and rapid responses! I have uploaded photos of the handset taken apart, as requested. One photo shows the underside of the handset grip. In very small lettering, the number "46" is imprinted inside a circle. I flipped the sliver transmitter over, and "P.S. 26806" is stamped in black lettering. Thank you again for helping me to identify my mystery handset!

[Dave Moll]

That transmitter inset bears some resemblance to that found in an Ericsson Ericofon (nicknamed "Cobra") telephone, though probably larger, and the transmitter cover is very similar to those on my German and Eastern European field telephones - whereas the receiver has a much more British look about it. I've certainly never come across the telephone to which it would have belonged.

[dagskarlsen]

I have had a handset like that for many years, but cant figure out were i comes from. I have a vague idea about some Antwerp telephone, but I do not know.

dsk

[cfrlar1]

Your Antwerp comment is interesting - I purchased the phone on eBay from a seller in the Netherlands, whose selling history had no other phone or military items, so it was most likely an item they found locally.

[dagskarlsen]

Take a look at this: http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/f...?topic=14229.0
dsk

[Dave Moll]

Certainly the one in reply #4 looks about right.

[cfrlar1]

Great link - thank you! The handset on the Classic Rotary Phones webpage looks just like mine. The age of the wiring and contacts on my phone certainly looks like it was converted a long time ago. I read that the British liberated Belgium along with other Allied forces in 1944. It is fun to imagine that the phone was in use during that time, and may have had to be repaired using a local phone handset by a creative soldier. We'll never know, but I certainly love the phone the way it is!

[dagskarlsen]

this telephone is remarkable of its time, it is a comfortable table top phone, and it is a higly advanced field telephone. You can just connect it to the regular telephone net and receive incoming calls, but it will always need about 3V battery. (polarity does not matter)

It will be smart to not use the magneto generator, or the howler ( button ) when connected to a modern line. The howler makes a terrible sound, and if you have your ear to receiver you may be hurt!

dsk

[Dave Moll]

Originally Posted by dagskarlsen

It will be smart to not use ... the howler ( button ) when connected to a modern line. The howler makes a terrible sound, and if you have your ear to receiver you may be hurt!

That is if a slide-in buzzer unit is installed rather than just a slide-in induction coil. Which is present can be identified by checking whether the unit is a box with a pair of knobs on top (to adjust the buzzer) or an open affair with the coil visible. I think the majority of Mk IIs are of the latter variety.

[cfrlar1]

Thank you for the information. I have a question regarding the post by dsk: How did you connect your MK II to a normal phone net? Is there a particular 3V battery you use? Thanks!

[dagskarlsen]

First time, I juste soldered som wires to 2 1.5V batteries, later I got a battery holder for 2 AA batteries. Seems to be plenty, and works well for a long time. + and - is not important. Ill try to come with a picture.
dsk

[dagskarlsen]

I have to admit to not remembering accurate, I still had the 2 old batteries with soldered wires, and they are old. Best before date: 1996 Still working. (My telephone does not have the buzzer)

The brown wire is the line wire, and I took the time to find an approx REN load at 25 Hz. about 1835 Ohms, That is high load, Ill guess about like 4 normal telephones!

dsk

[Dave Moll]

By the way, I see your "F" has a non-original handset as well.

[The Philpott]

Handset/s very similar to those pictured here were seen on Rowan Atkinson's 'Maigret' around xmas time. (UK ITV)

Unusually for TV dramas a decent amount of attention to authentic period details (and location) was in this episode.

[cfrlar1]

Thank you! I will try wiring mine up and let you know how it goes! Does yours ring with an incoming call?