Posted 14 years ago
Elkylover
(4 items)
Old antique Switchboard Telephone with no identifing marks on it. It was originally taken out of a Train station for Norfolk and Western Railroad back many, many years ago. At least that's what I have been told by former owner whose dad worked for them. I do not have the keys to access the front panel but it appears that all internal parts are there. I have taken it to Ken Farmer's (Antique Roadshow apprasier)auction house but they couldn't really give me an idea of value or tell me much about it for that matter. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Ever seen one like it? They hadn't. Just curious.
It's a Western Electric model # 1317 modified for railroad use. Manufactured between 1919 to 1938. The transmitter is referred to as a bulldog and it was being advertised as new for 1935.
As far as value in this market around $100.00 to $175.00
Thank you Tom for this much info. they said at the auction house that they thought about $225 to $250 but they were uncertain so I just didn't know. Is it worth restoring? I plan on hanging it on the wall in the future but its been setting around (laid in my garage) here now for about 8 or 9 years so you never know. Right trade comes along and boom it's gone.
The market is soft on single box wall phones right now. I would restore your wall phone and hang it on the wall. Western Electric used good close grained oak wood and it will restore real nice.