Western Electric 302 - Black - Manual Dial

Refinished 302 with a manual dial blank. Perfect for Intercoms or Paging systems.

Fantastic Western Electric 302 - Thermoplastic Manual Version!

History

This wonderful working example of 1930s design is sure to fit into your period decorating scheme. What I love most about this phone is the great RRRING that will be sure to get the attention of everyone in your household!

While the 302 series telephone is predominately found in black, it was also produced in nine colours. When the thermoplastic housings became the standard, the colours were molded in the plastic of that colour rather than being painted on as was the case of the die-cast phones. The Model 302 desk telephone was introduced in 1937. Created by famed industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss, the first versions had a die-cast zinc housing, however, demands for metal during WW2 necessitated a shift to thermo-plastic housings on later models. The 302 series was the first Western Electric desk telephone to contain the ringer and induction coil within the phone. Previous desk models required a separate subscriber set or bell box that was attached by the line cord.

The Model 302 was manufactured until 1955, and during it's lifetime it was the workhorse of the phone system.

The Restoration Process

Cords – The phone has been outfitted with brand new cloth covered cords that are made in house on the same type of equipment originally used by the phone companies. They look amazing. You can choose from either black or brown cloth cords. The line cord has a modular connection to facilitate a modern connection to your wall jack.

Shell – The shell has been painstakingly put through a multi-step restoration process which includes sanding with 400, 800, 1000, 2000 grit. This ensures that there are no scratches, dents or dings. The shell is them carefully buffed on our two step buffing wheels. This takes out the fine abrasions left by sanding and leaves the plastic with a smooth factory fresh finish. Finally we apply a three step plastic restoration compound. This leaves the plastic with a beautiful high gloss finish. Don’t be fooled by other plastic 302’s where they are simply painted, we have the real deal.

Handset – Handset has been ultrasonically cleaned to get all embedded debris. It is then sanded with the same process as the shell and buffed back to its beautiful original shine.

Base – The base is completely stripped of all its components and painted with a high gloss black. The components are then cleaned, tested and reinstalled.

Feet – The feet are disassembled and sand blasted. They are then rewrapped with super soft pig skin suede leather to ensure it does not damage the table it proudly sits on.

The phone goes through extensive testing before to ensure it is in perfect working condition prior to shipping.

We are now also offering the option to have your telephone number printed on the dial card in the center of your fingerwheel. Select this option with the drop down menu, and type in the request in the comments section of the order or email us at Oldphoneguy@Oldphoneworks.com We will include 4 different font options in with the purchase of this new offer. Here are two examples!