Ericsson Other Wall Phones and Intercoms 3

Fig 28: This unusual phone is a French model, produced by Societe des Telephones Ericsson. Although the box and ringer are standard Ericsson designs, the “cornet" handset is an unusual style which only seems to have been used in France and Japan.

Fig 29 - 32: Typical Wall Intercom Phones

Fig. 29: - Pushbutton steel cased Intercom, ca 1900. It was sold in Australia as Model N1620-1623 (5, 10, 15, 20 lines) and they were simply converted to table sets (Model N1624-1627) by a cradle modification.

Fig 30: A later model with the handset and cradle replaced by their bakelite substitutes (Model N1622A for the desk model, and Model N1626A for the wall model) .

Fig 31: One of the last wooden cased British intercoms, issued with or without dial. Note the small centre English dial. Table versions of this model were also available. Model N1619.

Fig 32: The equivalent CB Intercom System Model N1619. Wooden case, up to 30 stations. 1920s.

Fig 33: PMG Type 37 / 137 Auto Wallset . This phone was developed in Britain in the early 1920s to be the British Post Office’s standard wall phone, as their Tele 21. It was manufactured by British Ericsson (by now called Ericsson Telephones Ltd) and others for export as well as local use. This was the most common small box set used in Australia. It was designated APO Type 37 with solid back transmitter as shown, or Type 137 with the bakelite inset transmitter as shown in Fig 34. Note the basic stamped steel transmitter bracket, as used in the later British Ericssons. The earliest models may still be found with the No. 8 or No. 10 dials, which are finished in oxidised black and have a smaller centre panel. A “convertible” model can be found with a steel plate mounted over the dial hole. This was also issued as the CB version.

Fig 35: Type 237 converted to the bakelite handset. Many of the 237s were made from converted bell boxes , an emergency measure during World War 2. A CB model was also made. Phones were also converted to bakelite handset operation when they were reconditioned, but the numbers that have survived with the older bell receivers suggest that they were an extremely reliable model. Ericsson catalogues do not list a handset model like the 237, and in Australia the bakelite handset was an Australian Post Office conversion. These models are therefore an APO phone rather than an Ericsson. A typical British bakelite handset model is shown in Fig. 39 - note that the different switchhook has the handset facing inwards to the phone.

Variations: Later PMG rebuilds used the Ericsson parts but were cased in Australian timbers like red cedar. These phones did not carry Ericsson transfers or identification, but were usually labelled "Commonwealth of Australia" and are Australian Post Office phones rather than Ericsson. Similar models exist from other companies. Some refurbished models were issued with black enamelled steel bells rather than the original nickel finish. British models could also be finished in “copper bronze”, an oxidised brass finish. Polished brass finish was not used although many "restored" phones use this to make the phone look more trendy. A version is also known without the bellset, but with wooden plugs installed where the bell could be mounted. This was used in Public Telephones.

Remanufacturing telephones was essential to the PMG, as Australia did not have its own telephone manufacturing company until 1926, when STC built a plant for bakelite phones. Although the PMG Workshops rebuilt many phones to standard patterns, collectors will also find a number of one-offs rebuilt by local technicians to fill an emergency need.

These pictures show similar Ericsson models produced at Beeston.

Fig 36 illustrates the original British Model N1400, the CB equivalent of the Type 37 . Note the more ornate stamped steel transmitter bracket. Except for this, the model is identical to the Australian CB version of the Type 37. 1906-1932.

Fig 37: The automatic model , also with the more ornate Ericsson mounting on the transmitter, was produced as British Model N1050.

Fig 38: The CB equivalent was Model N1450 . Note the simple stamped switchhook for the older handset.

Fig 39: A magneto model , not used in Australia, was produced with the old handset as Model N2200C or with a bakelite handset as Model N2200B. 1906-

There are many variations to these models. Some were custom models built for British railway or mining companies, and many were later modifications and upgrades carried out by the British Post Office.

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