TELEPHONE No. 121


Telephone No. 121FA Mark 234
Earlier Solid Back Transmitter No. 1
Telephone No. 121F Mark 2
Later Bakelite Transmitter No. 22 assembly

Wooden cased wall telephone used on CB and Automatic systems.  Made from around 1924 and can be found in the 1928 GPO Rate Book.  There were two variants, the Mark 234 and the later Mark 2.  Click here for an explanation of the "Mark" system.

All models are fitted with a Receiver, Bell No. 1A, but the Mark 234 was fitted with a Transmitter No. 1 and a Coil, Induction No. 14, whilst the Mark 2 was fitted with a Transmitter No. 22 and a Coil, Induction No. 18A.  Terminal numbering/lettering and the wire colours also differed - see tables below.

Terminal Equivalents

Telephone Terminal Strip

Mark 234 Rec Rec - L1 R E TR L2 -
Mark 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Dial terminal Strip

Mark 234 Trans - at top Trans - at top 1 2 3 4 5
Mark 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7


Early CB versions had a notice frame fitted under the transmitter (shown pictured to the left, and called the Frame, Notice No. 1) whereas later CB telephones had a dummy dial cover instead of the frame.  Many of these telephones are seen on a backboard with a writing shelf called a Desk No. 4.

The dial mount is a Mounting, Dial, Automatic No. 7.

The housing is called a Case No. 1 and could be constructed of American Walnut, Black Chuglam, Pyinma, Halou, Tasmanian Myrtle or African Mahogany.  The casing front door is secured, on the left side, with a sprung loaded, retained, screw.

Many of these telephones were converted from Bellset No.1's.  On the rear of the phone one may well find the original Bellset No.1 crossed out and TELE 121 stamped nearby.

Some were converted by the BPO factories into the Telephone No. 251, which are identifiable as they have a handset instead of the bell receiver and front mounted transmitter.

This telephone is similar to the Telephone No. 101 but with a dial fitted below the transmitter.

Because this telephone is sought after by collectors, they have become rather difficult to find.  A number of reproduction instruments have appeared in the market place, generally made up from Bellsets No. 1 or from railway omnibus circuit telephones.  Many of these telephones were later converted by the GPO into the Telephone No.  221.

The early type used a Transmitter No. 1 which could have Label No. 43 fitted between the speaking tube and the transmitter body.  This label advised of the Exchange name and number.

This telephone superseded the Telephone No. 105.

Mark 234 Telephone includes (1928 Rate Book):-
1 x Bell No. 1A, unmounted.
1 x Coil, Induction No. 14.
1 x Condenser, M.C. No. 30.
2 x Cord, Instrument No. 1/16E, Black, 12".
1 x Cord, Instrument No. 222, waterproof.
1 x Dial, Automatic No. 10FA.
1 x Hook, Receiver F.
1 x Mounting, Dial, Automatic No. 7.
1 x Switch, Receiver No. 2.
1 x Transmitter No. 1.
1 x Receiver, Bell No. 1A.

Desk No. 4 to be requisitioned separately when required.

Mark 2 Telephone includes (1946 and 1956 Rate Books):-
1 x Bell No. 1A, Unmounted.
1 x Bell-gongs No. 2.
1 x Bell-gongs No. 2A oxidized.
1 x Coil, Induction No. 18A.
1 x Condenser, M.C. No. 102.
2 x Cord, Instrument No. 1/16E, Black, 12".
1 x Cord, Instrument No. 2/22B, Brown, 33".
1 x Dial, Automatic No. 10 ... , S.S., No. 10 ... or Dummy, No.4.
1 x Hook, Receiver F.
1 x Mounting, Dial, Automatic No. 7.
1 x Receiver, Bell No. 1A.
1 x Switch, Receiver No. 2.
1 x Transmitter No. 22.

To be requisitioned separately when required:-
1 x Desk No. 4.
1 x Label No. 160.

Variations
Telephone No. 121CB Mark 234 (aka Mark 1) was the standard wall instrument and was fitted with a Coil, Induction No. 14.

Telephone No. 121L or F was fitted with and Dial, Automatic No. 10FA or 10LA (supersedes Telephone No. 105).

Telephone No. 121 Mark 2 was fitted with the "improved" Coil, Induction No. 18 and Transmitter No. 22.

Telephone No. 121B was supplied with a Dial, Automatic No. 10BA for use in the Brighton Area.

Telephone No. 121L was in general use on Automatic exchanges in large exchange areas and fitted with a Dial, Automatic No. 10LA and a Label No. 43C.

Telephone No. 121S was supplied with a Dial, Automatic No. 10FS and used on Siemens systems in Grimsby, Hurley, Ramsey, Southampton and Stockport areas (superseded the Telephone No. 77).

Telephone No. 121W was supplied with a Dial, Automatic No. 10FW and used on S.T. & C's exchanges at Darlington and Dudley (superseded the Telephone No. 65).

Manufactured by:
GEC (who also made similar telephone instruments for sale to their private systems customers).  See GEC model K8384

Variants:
On most examples the solid-back microphone originally fitted was replaced with a Bakelite moulding containing a standard carbon microphone inset (these assemblies were made by Siemens Brothers and where introduced around 1932/1933), making a telephone with its original solid back transmitter a relatively rare item.  The telephone is frequently (but not always) found fixed to a wooden backboard with a writing slope (Desk No. 4).

The Australian Post Office also used the same telephone - their Telephone No. 137AW which was identical to the Telephone No. 121 Mark 234.

Circuit diagram - N221.

Circuit diagram - AT 1728.

Drawing Numbers - 8642 & 60490 (Mark 2).  The Mark 2 diagram is dated 1934.

Adjustment of Magneto bells

Collectors Information - what to look for

How to convert a Telephone No. 121 to Plug and Socket

Telephone mouthpiece sanitisers

See also the Telephone Efficiency Committees Report on Common Battery Area telephones.


Additional Pictures

Telephone No. 121F Mark 2
Internal view showing later induction Coil (light yellow coil - lower, centre)
 
Telephone No. 121F Mark 234
Internal view showing the large induction coil found on earlier sets (large round brown item)
The resistor above the coil is a modern device
 
Rear view showing typical GPO markings

There are two stampings showing.  The top line of text shows the set was originally a 121CB, Mark 234, made by PX in 1932, whilst the lower text shows that the set was refurbished to a 121F Mark 2, at the GPO factory (FNR), in 1956.

 
Telephone No. 121F Mk 234
 
Telephone No. 121F Mk 234
 
Telephone No. 121CB Mk 235
 
Telephone No. 121CB Mk 235
 
 
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Last revised: May 13, 2024

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