Antique, Headset for Crystal or “Bulb” Radio Detector

Description: For sale is a vintage set of early radio headphones, left behind in the radio electronics "collection" of my late father, who was an active and avid HAM radio operator for over 70 years! As we find these items, my husband loves to explore the history, or the "story", of these early radio treasures, and he'd love to share the story with you. If you decide to include these headphones in YOUR collection, you might want to save this "story" to share when you show off your headphones! Here's a bit of what he found: Description: You can own a piece of early radio history with this unbranded, antique set of headphones for an early crystal or “bulb” radio detector. This exemplar of early headset technology is being sold for display or restoration. As an antique artifact, it belongs in a public or private museum! It could be yours! Headphones similar to this were used with the detectors in early radio sets, relying upon galena crystals (lead sulphide.) The crystal sets were replaced by the next-generation, battery-operated, vacuum-tube radios, which utilized an Audion triode. Since headphones were part of the plate circuit in early vacuum-tube detectors, there was a danger of electrical shock, if the headset cords had external phone connections. Since the cord connections of this headset are inside the phones, it is possible that they were intended for use with vacuum tube detectors. During the roaring twenties, many headset manufacturers sought contracts with the manufacturers of crystal and “bulb” radios, who would package their headphones as a component of each complete radio set. Perhaps the headsets furnished under these contracts were required to omit the manufacturer’s brand, to avoid competition with the manufacturer of the radio. That might account for the lack of identifying information on this antique artifact. Manufacturer: Unknown. After reviewing antique headsets from many headphone manufacturers, I have noted the following similarities between the Ambassador headset (by Tower Manufacturing Corp.) and this antique: 1.Mounting: Most headsets of this era secured the pole pieces by the use of small machine screws, visible on the back of the phone case. Ambassador was one of the few that utilized oval-head, rivet-style, threaded studs; similar to the mountings on this antique. Furthermore, the Ambassador studs are located precisely the same as these. The pole pieces cannot be loosened from outside the phones, thereby pre-venting electrical shock through the aluminum case. This same mounting is seen on Tower’s “Little Spitfire” model. 2.Cord Entry: Ambassador headsets featured a rolled, aluminum grommet in the opening where the cords entered the aluminum case. They appear similar to the ones exhibited by this artifact. Inventory Status:Pre-owned by my father, who became a radio enthusiast in his youth, receiving an amateur radio license about 1935. My Dad enlisted in the military to pursue his study of radio, in the midst of a world war. When the United States subsequently entered WWII, Dad became a radio instructor for the U.S. Army Signal Corps radio school at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He rose to the level of Staff Sergeant and served at Fort Monmouth for the remainder of the war. Vintage: Antique, probably early 1920’s Cases:Appear to be cast aluminum. Earpieces:Appear to be Bakelite or similar phenolic-based thermoset plastic. Diaphragm:Features 0.009-inch thick steel diaphragm. Cords:About 55-inch cords, featuring colored stripes for polarization, to guard against demagnetization from vacuum tube circuits. (This became a problem when detector sets evolved from the use of galena crystals to vacuum tube circuits, incorporating De Forest’s Audion “bulb.”) Pin Tip Plugs:About 5/64-inch (2-mm) diameter pin plugs. Headband:Dual spring-wire headband, which appears to be covered with tightly-woven cloth, with slip-bushings to provide adjustability to each receiver. Weight:About 10-½ ounces Condition: As is — As found — As Photographed. This item is a pre-owned item; that may have dust, dirt, wear, dents, rust, oxidation, chips, scratches, etc. which can be from usage or age-related, environmental, or handling & storage effects. See photos. Buyer should review photos & the applicable texts before deciding to purchase this antique artifact. All electrical items are non-returnable. This headset is being sold as a collectible, antique artifact for display or restoration. Seller has no means of testing this device. Buyer accepts all responsibility for its use, & application to any electrical device or circuit. Who Wants This? Public & Private Museums ─ Early radio headset collectors ─ Collectors of antique and vintage audio equipment ─ Radio Amateurs ─ Prop managers ─ Interior Decorators ─ Anyone in the radio communications industry ─ Historical Societies ─ Anyone in the headset or earphone manufacturing or retail sales industry ─ Anyone seeking a Christmas gift for someone who has everything except this treasure from radio history! A fun history of these early radio sets! I hope this is an item that you would love to add to YOUR collection!!Thanks for looking here!! (radio shelves)

Price: 50 USD

Location: New Berlin, Wisconsin

End Time: 2024-08-25T16:14:44.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD