OK then -- here we go !
From a phone exchange it would seem - I have read somewhere about these being "double switches" but cannot remember in what context
**UPDATE The item is a standard PMG/GPO switchboard lever key, as found on many types of private manual branch exchanges PMBX as well as on some public exchange switchboards. They were made in millions with many arrangements of springsets. Some are locking and some are spring loaded, self restoring types
I didnt know that Mastercraft made valves in Australia, so this was a suprise to find them - even moreso that they were intact !
No and in fact if I'd looked a bit harder I would have worked out they were MINIWATT !!!! The typeface is very similar
A USA Tungsram Valve - and thats all I know about it !
Another RAAF Component - Part number is 10A/3457. No idea what its for though.....
This one is intruiging.... I dont know what its used for other than it may be attached to an aerial in an aircraft. Has the A.M. Kings head marks but a but also a number of different part numbers....see below
This plate says Adaptor Type 10 for LT Key Ref No. 10A/2137
Top panel says Key Unit Magnetic Ref No 10A/2129
Bottom Panel says Base Type T19.A for LT Key Ref No 10A/2139
You can see the writing here but under the overhanging part is stamped FOR USE WITH TYPE T.19a ONLY
And this is the unit on top. No idea what it is, but lots of info at least !
Seems to be a phone exchange coil, only this time encased in a tin type cover.
***UPDATE The black tin cased coil on the baseboard LOOKS like yet another Western Electric or Brtish Western Electric coil, as described in a previous email covering coils. However the stamping on the woodwork looks to me like its actually a telephone coil, ie the transformer style item that uses a battery and microphone in the low impedance primary circuit to handle voice waves from the transmitter, and a higher impedance 150 ohm secondary to send those down the line to the exchange or another phone. These sort of items were also made by other companies as well. It MAY have come from the factory like it is, or it may have been mounted up later by workshops - the round impressions on the woodwork are for a vrey early 1880's 1890's type of nickel plated brass screw terminal post attaching by a screw up the middle from underneath, and to my mind at least look a bit early for that style coil casing
Id seen some parts of these around but not a whole unit - its a Dictograph. Pretty good condition, only one part of the cradle on top is snapped
Front panel of the Dictograph.
I may be wrong but I believe these to be "rosette" type phone junctions.
No idea - I found them stored with the prot blocks but I cannot see how they would match !
That may look boring to some but I found a large wooden crate of these and I think there may be as many as 500-1000 of them inside. If my research is correct they are four way phone cables. Quite stiff but condition appears to be remarkably good for age. Each one is about 75-80 cm long. One end has eyelets and other is points.
****UPDATE - lots of talk about this one, with the general consensus being that it was either for building purposes or it was used in the rear of the exchanges hence the cords being stiff yet flexible to bend into a shape..
Finally an anomaly in all the RAAF stuff - this is a panel for something but on the side it clearly says RAF W/T DEPT KIDBROOKE, KENT which is in the UK. Not sure why but it may have been something issued under licence to the RAAF.
Another day done. As mentioned I have had the scrap dealer in and a lovely guy indeed. Grandpa would be proud that we are sending the unusable/unsaleable stuff off to be melted down and recycled, which is a much better way than just chucking it in a bin!!!
In two days we did two van loads at a total of approx 1.8 tonnes - yup, tonnes !
Back soon !
