Model 396 LB British Extension Telephone

Not really our area of expertise but this telephone was previously displayed at an aviation museum that closed some time ago. A little research on line indicated this is a model supplied by Ericsson against number N8440-N8446. It was specifically designed for use as 'a local battery table telephone for use in C.B.S. Nos 1,2,3 magneto areas, private circuits without transmission feeds and in mobile vans'. The handset is marked 164 46/1 which we assume dates the instrument to 1946. Originally the handset was designated as a 'Hand Microtelephone', and it started the Bakelite revolution for the Post Office. Originally associated with the Telephone No 162 it saw service from the late 1920s through to the end of the 1950s and beyond. These telephones provided economically the facility for various extension schemes without the use of separate switches or switchboards.

Sadly we have no provenance with it although coming from an aviation museum it may have RAF associations but without proof we are listing in our general section on the website. All we do know, as endorsed by the card in the centre of the instrument, is it appears to have come from the Newton Abbot exchange area of Devon, south west England. It has a more modern BT cord connected at the rear but as it is untested we are offering as a display item only, but would look perfect in a period setting or an ideal stage or film prop, at a very modest price.