This is your chance to own the very
desirable Western Electric model 302 desk-set
telephone in beautifully restored, original
condition. Works just like it came from the
factory in 1941. All you have to
do is plug it in and enjoy a step back in
time. It rings on your incoming calls and
is fully functional for making and receiving
calls. |
Sometimes this telephone is referred to as
the "Lucy Phone" because of its constant use
on the "I Love Lucy" TV sitcom of the
1950's. This is a popular picture of
Lucy holding the 302's F1 handset. |
The Western Electric 302 replaced the model
202 in the late 1930's, and became the first
Western Electric to feature an internal
ringer and voice network. It began with a
die cast metal housing (this telephone), and then with the
advent of World War II in the early 1940's,
the housing was made of thermo-set plastic.
This telephone is all original with the
exception of the handset cord and line cord.
These cords have been replaced with a brown,
cloth covered cord made especially for
Western Electric
telephone restorations. These cords are a
perfect match to the original Western
Electric cords.
Also the worn out original leather pads had
to be replaced. I used a genuine suede
leather that looks just like the original
and is ready for another 50 years.
|
This telephone has the metal, pre World
War II, body. It has been cleaned,
bead blasted, and coated with a top
grade, gun applied automotive finish.
This paint was chosen for its durability
and depth of color.
The F1 bakelite handset has been smoothed and
machine buffed to a soft luster
finish. Condition is
everything. You'll be proud to display
it and thoroughly enjoy using it.
A quality telephone restoration is
laborious and very time consuming, but
the outcome is well worth it. The
closer a set gets to this condition, the more
desirable and collectable it becomes. I
know, because I am a collector. |
The twin brass bell ringer produces a
marvelous sound from the past. Western
Electric made the two bells with
slightly different tones (hi-lo) and
they actually harmonize when ringing.
The brass bells have been polished to
produce the maximum pitch. They have
also been test-set adjusted.
When buying a restored telephone on the
net, be skeptical. It the image looks
dull, then the telephone finish is
probably dull. If the seller doesn't
include images of the bottom or inside,
then the seller probably doesn't want
you to see the bottom or inside.
|
The very desirable 5H dial has been cleaned and
lubricated to ensure long and
dependable service. It operates
very smoothly and has that mild
clicking sound when the dial
returns. Pulse timing has been set
to WE specs.
Beautiful "O" Operator, porcelain
dial face is NOS (new old stock) and
is mint.
Nickel plated finger stop has been
machine buffed to a brilliant shine. |
Date stamp has been preserved and
the shows manufacturing date of
February 1941 on the base plate.
Ringer coil is dated 1939.
I've been restoring vintage
telephones for many years. I am
proud of my telephones and I stand
behind my work 100%. If you should
decide to return this telephone, you
need only CONTACT ME within 24 hours
of the confirmed delivery receipt,
return the telephone in the original
packaging and in the original
condition within 7 days to receive a
prompt refund of the purchase price. |
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Please check my other auctions
as I also restore vintage electric fans. |