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| On this page: 1001 1002
1003 1004
1010 1011
1012 1013-4
1015 D-specification A E F GF G J K L M N R Handset Components |
| Related pages on this site:
WE Handsets: F GF G K Northern Electric Uniphone
Handsets |
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This
page provides general identification information
on many Western Electric handsets,
focusing on handsets made for commercial use after 1908 and before the Bell System break-up in 1984. Handsets with numeric codes were primarily used internal to the Bell System for test sets or specialty applications (e.g. intercoms) -- only occasionally in general subscriber environments. Handsets with letter codes, started with the A-type, were for general use, and were combined with "handset mountings" to create a whole telephone. Most handset types have several variations with suffix numbers and letters to denote different terminal, switch and wiring arrangements. See the catalogs or BSPs for details. There are undoubtedly more BSP references to be found. Color information is on the page "Phones in Color!" Handset mountings are covered on WE Handset Mounting Types. Follow links where available to detail pages highlighting the major variations. For more on early handset development, see "A History of Engineering & Science in the Bell System, The Early Years," pp. 138-153. This is a work in progress. Please send comments, additions and corrections. |
| Photo |
Description
&
Marking |
Common Uses |
BSP/ Catalog Reference |
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WE 1001 Handset Originally used by linemen. Variations with pushbuttons could be used as desk stand replacements (e.g. 1040AL). Introduced ca. 1902. Produced and in service for decades. Numerous variations were produced with different switch and cord configurations for many uses. See the catalogs and BSPs for details. Model numbers were stamped on the handle and omitted the initial "100." e.g. 1A, 1C, 1H, 1J, etc. |
Test Sets Field Phones Interphones Desk Stand Replacement |
____________ WE Telephonic Apparatus Catalog, 1908 edition, p.33 WE 1918 Yearbook, p.31 |
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WE 1002 Handset The ring is connected to a line switch, which goes off hook when the handset is removed from a hook. Introduced ca. 1907  Marked 2AC |
Desk Stand Replacement Often found connected to 315 or 400 subset. Switchboards |
WE Telephonic Apparatus Catalog, 1908 edition, p.34 WE 1916 Yearbook, p.100 |
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WE
1003 Handset Introduced ca. 1910  |
Interphones |
WE 1916 Yearbook, pp. 43, 66 |
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WE 1004 Handset |
Field Phones Train Dispatching |
WE Railroad Tel. and Selective Apparatus, 1922, p. 10. WE Railway Train Dispatching Systems, 1934, p. 52 |
| WE 1005
Handset Initially produced in the WE Hawthorne Works - later moved to Antwerp, as most were used in Europe. Introduced ca. 1915 |
History of Engineering & Science
in the Bell System, The Early Years, pp. 140-143. |
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WE 1010A Handset Note: The handset is sealed, with no apparent way to get in to change elements or the cord. |
Early WE 301A (replaced by F3) |
Found set |
 1011B  1011G with Dial Central Office Test Cord |
WE 1011 Handset (Dial
Hand
Test Set) Introduced ca. 1939. "Dial-in -handset" became the inspiration for the Trimline decades later. 1011A - Manual, B - Small 103A dial, C - G - 3" 6A dial, 346A plug and various cords and specialty connectors to fit equipment to be tested. F1 and HA1 elements (same as F Handset) A KS-16360 Snap is available for carrying the hand set on a lineman's belt; this snap must be ordered separately.  Without Bell System marking (1011BW)  Military TS-365/CT marking |
General Purpose Test Set 3" dial for Dial CO Testing Panel Crossbar Step by step |
WE Cat. 11, p. 186 100-120-101 106-020-111 103A dial: see BLR 11/1941 (in the TCI Library) |
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WE 1012 Handset 1001-style handle with F handset caps and elements. |
Train Dispatching |
WE Railway Train Dispatching Tel. Systems, 1949, p.
109 WE Cat. 11, 1950 p. 186 |
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WE 1013 and 1014
Handsets (Dial
Hand Test Sets) 11-type dial. T1 and LA2 elements. Colors and cords vary by model and intended use. Blue - 1013A, general purpose, alligator clips Orange - 1013B, replaced the 1013A Yellow - 1014, 346A plug, various cords and specialty connectors to fit equipment to be tested. Since sets were used by technicians, found sets often had cords and plastics changed -- including two-tone sets (e.g. half blue and half orange). |
General Purpose Test Set Dial CO Testing |
100-120-101 106-020-111 106-020-113 |
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AT&T
1015
Craft Test Set
(Dial Hand Test Set) Dial: TouchTone/Dial Pulse Polarity/LND allows redialing the last number dialed LEDs above dial indicate polarity and confirm ringing signal Mute switch disconnects transmitter  For reference: Box art (c) 1986 |
General Purpose Test Set |
User's Manual, 1986 [Download User's Manual] |
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D-Specification Type
Handsets Components and construction vary by model variation. Some variations include: D-81760, D-81761, D-81762, D-81763 D-158318 D-75959 Variations include cords and specialty connectors that fit equipment to be tested and may include switchable resistors or capacitors for specialty tests. (See the BSP.) Sets using the same or very similar castings are also found from other companies, such as the AE Model L-965, Bulletin 703-965. |
General Purpose Test Set Dial CO Testing Panel Crossbar Step by step Community Dial Intertoll Dialing Dial PBX |
AT&T Spec 4566 Feb26 100-120-101 |
WE A Handset WE Type-A Introduced
ca. 1922, with several versions produced until about
1924.
The variations were coded: WE B Handset WE C Handset WE D Handset |
A mounting |
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WE E
Handset  Early D 80370 marking
Introduced ca. 1926
with several versions coded E1, E2, etc. (See the
BSPs.)
Starting in 1935, the E1B included the F1 transmitter developed for the F handset. For details and variations, see "Desk Telephones of the Bell System" by Lawrence Wolff. |
A mounting B mounting C mounting D mounting E mounting Early 300-series |
C32.202 C32.203 C32.275 C63.341 |
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WE F Handset Introduced ca. 1936 in bakelite. Went to plastic in the early 1950s. Variations  |
B mounting refurb D mounting refurb Imperial Continental 211 300-series 5300-series |
C18.022 C32.203 C32.275 C38.807 C55.152 C63.341 501-210-101 501-210-300 501-220-100 501-230-100 |
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WE GF Handset Uses G1 or G3 handle with adapters to hold the F1 handset's F and HA elements. Details |
5300-series | 502-400-301 NY |
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WE G Handset Introduced in 1949 in bakelite. Went to plastic in 1953 for colored sets and the mid-1960s for black sets. Variations  |
500-series 1500-series 2500-series 3500-series Princess |
C18.022 C32.203 C32.204 C63.341 501-210-102 501-210-103 501-210-104 501-210-120 501-210-300 501-210-301 501-211-102 501-211-103 501-211-400 502-200-101 |
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WE J Handset Control of 1-type telephone reporting set from a remote line. Similar to G5 with a switch controlled oscillator for generating a 1475 cps signal. |
1-type reporting set |
501-210-104 |
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WE K Handset Variations |
Design Line Accent Elite Exeter Stowaway Telstar TouchAMatic 16 960 2960 Comkey 416 Late 2500 |
501-210-105 503-200-106 |
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WE L Handset L2A (chrome) and B (gold) used with the Celebrity Sets. L2C with oak wood handle and caps used with the Country Squire set. L2D with maple wood handle and caps used with the Butcher Block set. |
Design Line Celebrity Country Squire Butcher Block |
503-200-104 WE Catalog Cards |
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WE M Handset R, M and N Handset size comparison. |
TouchAMatic S |
501-210-110 503-400-100 |
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WE N Handset R, M and N Handset size comparison. |
Design Line Big Button Glow Olympic '84 "Showcase" |
503-200-118 |
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WE R Handset R, M and N Handset size comparison. |
Merlin |
501-210-130 |
 E Handset Components
(E1A, early)
|
 F Handset Components |
 GF Handset Components |
 G1 Handset Components |
