VINTAGE BAKELITE 312L ART DECO GPO DIAL TELEPHONE

Vintage GPO 312L 'CALL EXCHANGE' Black Bakelite Telephone

Fully restored and ready to use

Image Gallery

This is a lovely example of a classic British Bakelite 312L series telephone (164 56). This telephone is in first class working order with a nice sheen and free from damage. It also has a scarce No.12 alphanumeric dial. The handset has my own, UK manufactured,  pure Egyptian cotton braided cord correctly terminated with cotton ties.  The photographs are of the actual telephone for sale and accurately record its condition. Please see the restoration details below.

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Restoration Process

• Handsets and cases are stripped of their components and thoroughly cleaned.
  
  
• Cases are polished, both mechanically and by hand. It has taken me many years to perfect this technique and it will return the case to the best possible condition. Polishing by hand alone will not achieve the best results.
  
  
• All contacts are cleaned and polished.
  
  
• Dials are stripped, cleaned, inspected, lubricated and rebuilt. This includes the removal and cleaning of the governor, governor cup and main bearing. The contacts are set and the dial speed and MK /BK ratio set using a use a Labline100 tester. This is an essential part of making a telephone work properly.
  
  
• Bell coils are set and any necessary adjustment made so their resistance is suitable for modern networks.
  
  
• The telephone is reassembled and a new, colour matched, line cord is fitted and the appropriate wiring alterations to make it work on a pulse dialling system.
  
  
• Finally, telephones are tested on a live line to ensure they are working correctly and a custom dial label is fitted.
  
  
• I have not changed the transmitter unit, since it is not entirely necessary, but I can fit a modern electronic transmitter for £5.

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