Walnut Ericsson (LME) bell box with large coil and condenser

Description: Walnut 1925 LME (L.M. Ericsson) ringer box with large coil and condenser Here is another bell box similar to others we have listed in the past and currently.The diagram on the inside of the door shows a candlestick phone and reads "Circuit No. 1 C.B. desk set." This bell box contains a large coil with wood block ends and a long 2MF capacitor/condenser. The bells are most likely brass painted black, but they may be copper. The original hex bell screws attach the bells to the ringer posts. On the lower right corner of the box the finger joints are slightly loose. This bell box could be easily refinished to make a nice-looking piece. We have not tested the components, so this bell box is being sold in as is condition. History of these walnut boxes:The bell box would ring when you were called. There weren't ringers inside many of the early desk phones, perhaps until the 1920's. There wasn't room. It is doubtful that anyone knows with exactness when they were made: 1907, 1908-1932? A diagram inside one or more shows a 1908 LME (Ericssson) candlestick (1908-1921). But diagrams were used repeatedly. Where were they made? England or Belgium? This can be confusing. Much variation in Europe's telephone history has come my way. I've always yearned to simplify stuff so that people with average IQ's could digest it. I gathered much information about foreign companies in the late 1980's and early-mid 1990's. And much is still in my basement. I will likely never get around to composing it, although it is among many things I would like to do.Ericsson factories were "everywhere," so it is not an unreasonable suspicion that these boxes were made in continental Europe (Belgium) and the British Isles. Although those I recall looking at had nomenclature in English, and none I recall were in French (Belgium?).Was walnut more plentiful there or was it imported? (as was mahogany). Why walnut and not oak? I'm not sure. I learned that in the United States the supply of walnut got low in the early 1900's and the manufacturers started making stuff out of oak, etc. However, in Europe maybe there was plenty of walnut still available into the 1930's.Recently we received some additional information on these ringer boxes. A helpful individual named Chris from the UK identified this type of ringer box as British GPO design. According to Chris, millions of these were made by various companies, including British Ericsson. The Ericssons in the UK were made in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, England. Most dated from about 1908 to around 1932, after which they were replaced by bakelite boxes. The wood used for these is walnut, commonly selected for telephone devices in the UK instead of oak. The walnut came from various parts of the British Empire. At least 750 of these are in an old cattle trailer in our backyard. The quantity may be over 1,000. Many are still in the boxes they were packed in back in the 1940's-1950's.It is likely a strange thing to hear: that I have never opened these wooden crates. They are about 3 ft x 1.5 ft x 1.5 ft and may weigh 50 pounds. (I had opened some in the 1980's and found walnut fiddleback phones in them-- some even with crown-tops and flexible transmitters.) Likewise, I bought a 1935 Ford pickup in 1958, and it still sits in a small garage here on our property (in September 2023). Please be sure to read the description Sold As IS; and if you have any questions please call us at Phonecoinc. No returns. We are not responsible for your mistake for not reading our description. Review images for representation of item(s) you are purchasing. If you would like combined shipping, please wait until you have received your final invoice before making payment. If you have any issues with item after receiving, please contact us before leaving negative feedback. Your business is greatly appreciated! Shipping applies to the lower 48 States, please send an email if you have questions or to request shipping charges for International shipping, and shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico which will cost extra as determined by weight and size. Orders outside the United States will be shipped the most economical way available to us, and costs may be higher than the shipping cost shown on this listing

Price: 45 USD

Location: Galesville, Wisconsin

End Time: 2024-09-04T02:00:06.000Z

Shipping Cost: 19.65 USD