Kellogg - Masterphone 1000 - AKA Redbar

Classic Kellogg "Redbar" Telephone

This wonderful working example of 1940s 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!

The case of this phone is the Bakelite version and the handset is made from Bakelite. The design was a significant improvement over earlier Kellogg models in that the interior space was much more efficiently used, thereby eliminating the tangle of wires that was often present. This was accomplished through the use of a molded one piece connecting block that was quite unique to the telephone industry at the time. The telephone components (capacitor and coil) plugged into the connecting block and were field changeable -- thereby allowing the phone to be easily converted between local battery, and common battery service. This Kellogg Masterphone 1000 Desk phone gets it's familiar name "Redbar" from the red bar that is used to operate the hookswitch. This model was manufactured from 1947-1953 and it was a the first phone made by Kellogg that had interchangeable parts for the dial and non-dial models.

Kellogg manufactured the Model 1000 in two additional styles: a wall phone, and a desk phone with a magneto in the base.

The Restoration Process

Dial – The dial has been fully disassembled, cleaned, lubed and timed to ensure years of trouble free service. The outer edge of the dial has been stripped and repainted with a gloss black enamel. Unless the dial is removed, this is something you will rarely ever even see, but this is how it would have come from the factory. The number plate has been cleaned and a perfectly matching overlay has been applied. A brand new die cut dial card and acetate cover have been added as well

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 Bakelite with a smooth factory fresh finish. 

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.