BELL No. 1A & BELL No. 1A Unmounted

A wall mounted, wooden cased bell box.  The bell box comprises of a 1000ohm magneto ringer, 16c/s only (AC). Each bell ringer coil is 500ohms.

The links on the terminals can be configured for the bell coils to be in parallel or series.  In series they are 1000oms which is the correct value for CB and Automatic systems, whilst in series they are 250ohms which is used on Magneto and CBS systems.

The Bell-gongs No. 2 are 2.5" / 64mm in diameter.

Two variants were produced, one with a bias spring and one without.  Click here for more information on Bias Springs.

The Bell ringer mechanism is called a "Bell No. 1A, Unmounted" and this, on it's own, is generally fitted to most wooden wall phones and Bellsets.  This Bell ringer was also produced with a Bias Spring and called the "Bell No. 1A, unmounted, with Bias Spring".

The Bell No. 1 was introduced circa 1913, whilst the "Bell No. 1A, Unmounted" was introduced circa 1909.

The wooden housing is called a Cases No. 3.

Dimensions - 8 inches high by 6.75 inches across.

The Buzzer No. 1 is exactly the same design except that the bell gongs and clapper arm on the ringer are not fitted.

Normally fitted with matched bell gongs, but where a distinctive tone is required, the following combination of 2.5in gongs can be used:-
Bells-gongs No. 2 - Nickelled or oxidised.
Bells-gongs No. 2A - Nickelled or oxidised.
Bells-gongs No. 3 - Aluminium.
Bells-gongs No. 17 - Steel or bronzed with concentric hole.
Bells-gongs No. 12 - Cow gongs - cannot be fitted to Bells Nos. 1A or 59A.

Note
This is a bell only and has no induction coil or other components fitted.  Because of this it CANNOT be used as a direct replacement for a Bellset No. 1 or 25.

Therefore it should NOT be used as the only Bellset on any Candlestick or Telephone No. 162.  It can, however, be used as a simple extension bell.

Superseded by Bell No. 59A circa 1962.

Drawing - 1796 Mark 234 (1913).
Drawing - 62933 (unmounted Mark 234).

Specification - D191.

British Ericsson (ETL) produced some of these bells and their part number was N3100T.

Adjustment of Magneto bells

Click here for the difference between a Bell and a Bellset

How to wire your Bell No. 1A to work on a modern telephone sockets as a bell only

1. Remove the metal link between terminals 2 and 3 and insert a 3.3K resistor.
2. Obtain a spade ended line cord.
3. Connect the white wire of the line cord to terminal 1.
4. Connect the blue wire of the line cord to terminal 4.

Bell No. 1A Unmounted

Bell No. 1A, un-mounted
Not normally supplied with bell gongs
The wires would also be insulated - probably a test ringer

Bell No. 1A, un-mounted, with Bias Spring (shown on the right)

Last revised: March 16, 2026