Here is the Western Electric Model 354 as it looked when I began the project. Paint splatters are abundant. You can also see paint along the edge of the case. Back in the days when these phones were screwed to the wall it was too much trouble to remove it to paint the surrounding wall. Also note the coiled handset cord. Ultimately a straight brown cloth cord will replace this one.
The top view shows the paint. Although a good soaking in warm sudsy water softens the paint, much of it had to be removed by hand polishing with Novus #2. The paint was on the hook as well as the external dial parts.
Another "before" view of the front of the telephone. The porcelain dial plate is in excellent condition. It has the "Z" Operator that is generally more collectible.
Another view showing the paint along the bottom edge and generally all over the phone.
A close up of the reverse side of the 6A dial mechanism shows some mold inside the plastic dust cover.
A close up view of that dust cover. I was worried that the dial gears would be badly corroded. It wasn't in bad shape.
An overall view of the inside of the phone with the original coiled handset cord still attached.
An inside view of the cover after the parts have been removed.
This close-up shot of the #6A dial reveals the manufacture date---September of 1952. After this photo was taken it was time to disassemble the dial for cleaning.
Dirty dial parts.
I spent a bit of time cleaning these parts under a large illuminated magnifying glass. Each gear was cleaned of old oil, grease, lint and grime. Initially I spray the gears with an electrical contact cleaner to remove all of the old gummy lubricant. Then a soft bristled tooth brush and compressed air is used to clean each tooth of the gears. On the larger gear a tooth pick was used to remove large pieces of dirt. The parts are then cleaned with Simichrome polish. Each screw, nut and fastener is cleaned. The parts seen here are ready for reassembly.
The dial parts have been reassembled and is ready to be returned to a clean telephone. I think it should work OK for another fifty-six years.
Another view of the cleaned dial, awaiting the dust cover.
On the front side of the dial you see everything cleaned, awaiting the finger wheel and dial card retainer pieces.
The original finger wheel has been added, awaiting the dial card ring and dial card. There has been no painting done, so this wheel is original. It has a few imperfections, but looks very nice. As collectors like to say..."it presents well".
The dial card retainer ring and associated pieces.
Here is the finished dial. The dial card is a reproduction of one of my original cards. It will be changed by the time the phone is finished.
Here we see the ringer assembly after over fifty-five years in existence. The gongs are made of steel, not brass. Since the phone was made in the fall of 1952 there was a brass shortage due to the Korean war. They are the same frequency as the brass bells and sound great.
This is the 101B induction coil and the condenser removed from the base. It has yet to be cleaned.
Here are those same components after cleaning. Both dated the 3rd quarter of 1952 (September).
The dirty ringer with gongs removed for cleaning.
The clean ringer assembly, reattached to the chassis. For you experts out there, the red wire is not attached to the correct post. I figured that one out later in the reassembly process!
Another view of the B2AL ringer assembly showing the September 1952 date.
Reassembly is nearly complete here. I also added a modular back plate to make connecting to the wall jack much easier. It is obviously not time-period correct since they did not come on scene until the mid 1960's but it fits perfectly, just as it does on a model 554. A photo of the back plate will appear later in the album.
When it was time to begin work on the F1 handset I removed all of the contacts and screws. I believe a clean contact will give a better voice path transmission.
Now, don't these look much better?
The handset elements--dated 9-17-52 and 9-52. The mouthpiece cap is also dated 9-52 with no date found on the ear cap.
Often Bakelite caps from these old F1's have a rough surface. These caps were in very good condition. Especially the mouthpiece cap. It shined like it was brand new. This phone was NOT abused all these years!
The finished handset cord, minus the brown cloth handset cord.
I thought it was interesting at how colorful the switch hook wires were inside the phone. Many times after years exposure to the elements they often fade to the point that it is tough to distinguish the multi-colors.
Another view of the finished interior of the 354. After the photo was taken I did straighten up the wires a bit as they are a little messy in this view.
I put an original Bell logo card on the dial. It looks pretty good on this phone---in my opinion. You can see the reflection of the overhead tiffany style lamp in the finish of the phone.
Another view--this one with the previous dial card.
Here is a view with the modular back plate attached. This makes hanging the phone on the wall very easy and convenient. This phone will go back into service.
Another view of the finished product with the final dial card.
A view of this Western Electric Model 354 as it hangs on the kitchen wall. You should hear the ringer---nice and loud! A great telephone, ready to work for years to come.
