Posted 8 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
I picked this one up for a cheap price (Seller wasn't sure on what it is) as I identified it as a Bell Box or Ringer Box (I collect some early telephone-related history.) I am assuming this is late 1910s but really want to know:
When is it from, exactly?
Who made it?
How can I make it ring-- as in, what could I hook it up to, and what is a safe power-level for it?
It says "800 ENAM" as seen in pics and has no other markings. I found a 1921 reference to Enam, but it was very vague and told me nothing other than that there was a company called Enam around then.
The cabinet is obviously dovetailed and, I believe, oak. There is brass and steel in it along with hard rubber (along with fabric coating whatever the wires are made of.)
As I was driving it home, it rang several times and made me laugh.
Another link, seeing inside:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ye45Rsgg4iw/Vje_OaA4X0I/AAAAAAAAZ6Y/_kbpljHN85Y/w858-h719-no/Bell%2BBox%2B011.JPG
Final pic:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9Sj20GnR4LY/Vje_PLYqHCI/AAAAAAAAZ6g/6QQrUJj_PWI/w823-h719-no/Bell%2BBox%2B012.JPG
Link to it on a forum I'm a part of:
http://www.antique-bottles.net/forum/Antique-BellRinger-Box-Help-m683913.aspx#683913
Nobody????
It somwhat similar to the one i have posted,bell size,wood,hinges,scews. But im not an expert .
When i was a kid you could usebthis by cranking the handle it generates its power threw a wire to the same phone on the end of the line.
Caperkid, I've looked through dozens and found one very similar one. Still, it was not the same. I saw and enjoyed yours, but yours is different. Yours is an actual telephone and is more advanced. Mine is a step down from a magneto in which you send the signal from the phone to the bells and it rings. The magnetos you'd wind yourself to ring the operator or whoever is on the other side of the line. Mine is likely an extension box. It could work with your phone but would be placed in another room. I just really wanna know who made mine and when. Also the commonality/scarcity of the piece.
Anyone know?
I think it is just an extension ringer. I have an old ad for one, I'll see if I can locate it.
Sounds good. Thanks. :)
Here is the ad from 1904.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/185069865915399471/
I would say your's is an extension bell. If it was for a candlestick phone, it would have a generator in it. I didn't see a hole where one would have been.
The most simple box just rings. The generator is for one where you want to ring up an operator.
I'm surprised they didn't list price in the ad.
Thanks for it.