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This Bellset was originally called the "Bellset, Magneto, C.B." and was fitted with a Bell, Magneto 1000ohms. This bell ringer was later changed to the Bell No. 1A unmounted. The early cases had a small key lock on the front door, but this was later replaced by a spring loaded captive screw fitted to the left hand side of the casing. The GPO also inherited a number of bellsets from the National telephone Company and these were also numbered Bellset No. 1. It was fitted with a 2uf Capacitor, a 1000ohm Ringer
(comprising of two 500ohm coils) and a two winding Induction Coil
(primary coil is 17ohms and secondary coil is 26ohms). The Bellset was also made in a number of iterations - please see table below. Many were adopted from the sale of the National Telephone Company to the GPO. The wooden casing is called a Case No. 1 and could be constructed of American Walnut, Black Chuglam, Pyinma, Halou, Tasmanian Myrtle or African Mahogany. Bellset No. 1 with Bias Spring, was also available for Telephones No. 76, No. 82 and No. 124. This variant used a "Bell No. 1A, unmounted, with Bias Spring" as the ringing mechanism. Probably marked "BS" on the rear of the case. Click here for more information on Bias Springs. The ringer mechanism is a "Bell No. 1 unmounted" and is a 1000 ohm magneto ringer, 16c/s only (AC). The Bell-gongs No. 2 are 2.5" / 64mm in diameter. The differences between the Mark 234 and the Mark 235 appear to be either hard wiring the capacitor directly and not via the hinges or just relocating the capacitor into the main body of the Bellset. Do not confuse this Bellset with a Bell No. 1A, which has a smaller case and comprises only of a bell ringer and two gongs. This Bellset was universally used by the GPO with table telephones and recovered Bellsets were refurbished and reused. In many cases they were made into wall telephones. Introduced circa 1908. By 1946 this Bellset had been superseded by the Bellset No. 25. This Bellset can difficult to find nowadays, but a conversion kit is now available to fit to any Wooden or Bakelite Bellset. Click here for more information. The Bellset Includes:-
Bellset No. 1 Mark 235
The above was taken from the GPO Rate Book (1928). Wiring Diagrams - LD 38 (Mark NT19), N501 (1919) and N501 (1929). Drawing - Bellset - 1751 (Mark 235). The following manufacturers made some of these Bellsets:- UK Military number - YA2494. Click here for the difference between a Bell and a Bellset Use as a bell only Whilst this Bellset is generally associated with a telephone, it can be wired up as a simple bell. It cannot be used with batteries as it is a magneto (AC) ringer. Connect your wiring with either two wires or a telephone line cord. This will be country dependant. These instructions are for the UK system and use a standard telephone cord:-
Pictures
Pictures showing Bellset No. 1 Mark 235 with the capacitor (bottom of left hand
picture)
Bellset No. 1 Mark 234
Picture of Bellset No. 1 Mark 235 with Coil Induction No. 18
Early Bellset No. 1 These were probably manufactured at the W.E. factory by B.T.M.C. of Antwerp
Bellset No. 1 with door lock
Bellset No. 1 with door lock
An unusual layout Another NTC variant
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Last revised: May 18, 2025FM |