Original Imperial German WWI Tischfernsprecher OB 05 by Ketter & Schmidt with Period Photos of Soldiers Using Them - Dated 1916
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Original Item. Only One Available. The OB 05 telephone is a table-top device that was particularly suitable for use in offices due to a technical feature - the two cranks attached to the sides - and was standard equipment in German offices in the late German Empire. The housing is made of black lacquered sheet metal, the base and top are made of wood. The imperial eagle is applied to the wide sides. On the narrow sides there are two cranks for operating the crank inductor so that the device can be conveniently operated from two desk workstations facing each other.
The crank inductor is inside the housing, as is a bell for generating an acoustic signal when a call is made. The handset rests on a metal fork and combines the actual handset and the microphone. A fabric-covered cable connects the handset to the body. At the beginning of the 20th century, telephone calls were still made manually. To make a call, the handset had to be taken off the fork. The device was now ready for use. Then, by turning the cranks, a crank inductor was set in motion, which - like a bicycle dynamo - generated alternating current. The generated current was transmitted via the line to the exchange and triggered a signal there.
This is a good example of a German Table-Top Phone, Model OB 05. The phone is in great condition with the original braided cord stilly fully intact, with the power cord also mostly intact and the small “switchboard” as well. The top of the phone itself is stamped with maker information:
O.B. 05 K.
KETTER & SCHMIDT, BERLIN 61260
5.8.16
This dates the phone to August 5th, 1916. This model was standard in German government offices in the late German Empire. The crest on the sides are very well-retained, and the crank handle is still working. The handle on the handheld reads:
Zum besseren Hören
Knopf drücken
Beim Sprechen Knopf loslassen!
The phone measures roughly 12 x 11½ x 5½” all together. The set comes with two period photographs of soldiers sitting next to this model of phone. The photos measures 8 x 6” and 3½ x 5½”. A great set with a very scarce field phone, ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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