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No, and yes. Early dials were designed to be 10-button, period ("non-convertible"). A kit of parts was available, which could be
installed during a set refurb and conversion.
(Anyone have one available or photos to add below?) "Material and parts required to convert convertible 10-button TOUCH-TONE dials to 12-button dials." D-180115 - for 25-type dials (with gray buttons) D-180116 - for 25-type illuminated dials (with translucent buttons) After adoption of the 12-button standard, the 35-series dials became standard and all dials were shipped with "*" and "#" keys. |
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Western Electric 1500D with 25W3 dial.
Delivered with 10 buttons, field upgradable to 12. Requires addition of "*" and "#" keys and replacement of the faceplate. This makes the phone a 2500D. |
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Detail of 10-button 25W3 dial.
Tape on the "*" key hole is removed to show the shape of the hole. A 10-button filler panel, as on the phone above, covers the taped holes. Click on the image to get an enlarged view. |
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Detail of 10-button 25W3 dial adapted for a 12-button
faceplate.
If the same dial (or any 10-button dial) were to be installed
on a phone with a
12-button faceplate, a small plastic cover was used to fill in the
unused 2 holes. This was done when 1500-series phones were refurbished
after 35-series dials were standard and 10-button faceplates were no
longer stocked. These fillers have to be scarcer than 1500 sets! |
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WE 1500D2M Refurbished and converted to modular, with 12-button faceplate. Typically marked on the bottom with 1500D2M and a date on a paper sticker. |
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Detail of 10-button 25W3
dial with bottom row converted for 12-button use. This dial obviously had the buttons installed after the dial had been in service for some time, as the ten numeric keys are faded. |
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WE 2500 DM (showing the 12-button faceplate) |
