COMMON
WEALTH ERICSSON WALL
TELEPHONE
Many articles have appeared in Australia on the
Ericsson wall telephone, known to us as Commonwealth Ericsson model. It first
appeared before the turn of the century and was adopted by the newly formed PMG
Dept in 1901 as the standard magneto telephone throughout
Australia.
The models produced by L M Ericsson were:-
Type | Old cat no. | Magnets | Ringer res. | Wt. kg |
AB 530 | 345 | 4 | 300 ohms | 8.7 |
AB 535 | - | 4 | 1000 ohms | 8.7 |
AB 590 | 346 | 5 | 2000 ohms | 9.2 |
The above models were full size. A 3/4 size phone was produced with 3-bar magneto, for use on short distance services and a miniature model (1/2 size) with 2-bar magneto was available for intercom purposes. However, this discussion is only about the standard model which was elected for use in Australia because of its long distance capabilities.
A panel discussion on this phone took place at the September 1988 ATCS meeting, A lively discussion resulted, with considerable input form the panel, members of the audience and details submitted by members unable to be present. The phone was considered point by point and the following details in abbreviated form were the outcome. Some of the information may not be strictly correct and if anyone can make any corrections it will certainly be appreciated.
TIMBER CREST
Very Early models had a spear pointed crest; this was followed
by the fairly plain crest with fleur-de-lis type incisions up to 1903 after
which the carved crest (stamped?) was standard.
LINE TERMINALS
Lacquered brass initially, superseded by frosted nickel
plate later. Terminal thread was generally 2BA but at least one other thread
type has appeared.
LIGHTNING ARRESTER
The standard form was two flat discs secured in place by
recessed-top terminals. Circular insulated washers have variously been black
ebonite, empire cloth or mica with several holes punched. It was thought mica
might be English.
GONGS
Always
the large type, brass, nickel plated, with raised section around
hole.
BELL POSTS
Located by two screws and arranged to provide adjustment:
RINGER COVER
Early models were one piece stamped metal with rounded edge at top. Later were
two pieces with square edge. The diamond shaped squiggle transfer stated to be
most common The 'L M ERICSSON, PATENT, STOCKHOLM' transfer appears to be
earlier. Maybe the diamond pattern was standard for Commonwealth Ericsson and
the other transfer appeared on other imported phones. British made phones had
'ERICSSON, ENGLAND' on the cover. The lightning flash transfer down each side
should be applied with the top and bottom points outwards.
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RINGER MECHANISM
1000 ohm for AB 530 and 2000 ohm for AB 590. Some phones have
letter 'B' between bells to indicate use in bridging circuits.
BUTTON
Early
models, plain ebonite button; later models, brass screwed-in fitting with
ebonite knob on top. Depressing the button opens the circuit to bell when
ringing out (silences bell) and short induction coil secondary (improves
strength of signal when listening).
SERIAL NUMBER
Stamped on front edge of shelf. Date of manufacture can be ascertained from
this. Significance of other numbers and letters sometimes appearing near serial
number were not known.
MADE IN SWEDEN
Generally stamped on left hand side of shelf but no invariably.
PAPER LABEL
Attached
inside hinged front gives information on ringing ability of generator plus date
of manufacture (probably date of test).
LINE FUSES
Initially standard for Commonwealth Ericsson but deleted in later phones.
SELECTOR LINKS
Standard for commonwealth Ericsson. Selective ringing could be applied on party
lines, ringing L1 to L2, L1 to E, L2 to E.
BATTERY TERMINALS
Early models have a long stem but later models had terminals set
in wood block.
AUXILIARY RECEIVER HOOK
On front curved portion but not always provided. Some phones
without hole and some have wood plug or metal disc to cover hole.
MAGNETO
Usually
4-bar but 5-bar available for long distance lines. Of the sliding shaft
type.
HOLE LEFT HAND SIDE
Presume used to form radius on side pieces of battery cover. Side pieces
identical except for larger hole on right hand side for magneto handle. Left
hand side plugged
and fitted with small disc.
BATTERY COVER
Mild steel with wood grain finish. Up to 1903, flat across front with wood strip
down centre. After 1903, battery cover centre was formed by pressing the steel,
eliminating wood piece.
BATTERY COVER TRANSFER
Initially a circular logo was used
featuring skeletal phone in centre. After 1904, transfer changed to incorporate
'L M ERICSSON' above plain skeletal phone and 'STOCKHOLM' below. Phones
manufactured in UK had skeletal phone only in the transfer. At some stage a
change was made to depict the skeletal phone in gold instead of
silver.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS
Only supplied in British made phones when it was pasted inside the
battery cover.
BATTERY SHELF
Heavy steel plate painted black. Early models simply a flat plate secured by
screws along back edge. Later models had substantial return on plate and secured
by screws into back of board.
BACKBOARD
Substantial timber (about 1" thick) generally in on solid piece, but sometimes
with a vertical joint to join two pieces of timber together. Some phones have
appeared with a vertical piece each side, filled in top and bottom with separate
pieces of timber.
TYPE OF TIMBER
Mostly walnut but occasionally in oak, the oak models also being
made in Sweden. This phone did not appear to have used veneer as so many other
models did. TIMBER FINISH: Plated finish was always nickel - never renovate with
chrome plate.
TORTOISE SHELL PROTECTOR
Attached to left hand side to protect woodwork against damage by handset.
Material was actually celluloid, finished in tortoise shell pattern, which as it
ages tends to shrink and crack over the years.
HANDSET
Early
models had thick microphone, wide groove wooden hand grip and ebonite ear cap.
Changes evolved gradually but by 1903 the handset had thin type microphone, fine
groove ebonite grip and ebonite insert on receiver, held in place by knurled
metal ring. Cords were green or brown, terminating in 4-pin plug.
COMMONWEALTH CIRCUIT
Made specially for Australia to connect handset receiver and
auxiliary receiver in parallel instead of standard Ericsson procedure of
connecting them in series. This was simpler and assured continuity of use in the
event that a cord or receiver became open circuited.
From the Australian Telephone Collectors Society
11/88