Fleamarket phones vintage

Blotter updated: 04/16/25Show/Hide Show All
  • 04/16/25 - FYI lurkers, accounts have the ability to get RSS updates on posts, comments and pools.
  • 04/16/25 - Things are slowly coming together, let's party like it's 2005!
main image
Title1944 Holtzer Cabot field phone
avatar
Uploaderjohnny,
TagsFleamarket, phones, vintage
Source Link
Unknown
LockedNo
ParentNone

Comments

avatar

- Reply
johnny: In the box E-8-B from the late 30s, bringing it to hamvention.
avatar

- Reply
cb4lyfe: Did you let VR know? He is mostly into sip phones but when he showed me his stuff he had some vintage stuff too.
avatar

- Reply
cb4lyfe: I did some reading on this tonight:
Telephone E-8-B, a military field telephone manufactured by Holtzer-Cabot, a division of First Industrial Corporation in Boston, Massachusetts. The label indicates it’s a single unit with stock number 4B5008, drawing number S.C.D-996-D, item number PIC 8/28/44, and serial number 20840.
The Telephone E-8-B, often referred to as the EE-8-B, is a portable field telephone used primarily by the U.S. military during World War II and beyond. It was designed for rugged outdoor use, often in combat situations, to establish communication over wire lines. Here are some key specifications based on historical data:
Weight: Approximately 9.5 pounds (4.3 kg) including the case and batteries.

Dimensions: Roughly 9.5 x 7.5 x 4 inches (24 x 19 x 10 cm) when packed in its case.

Power: Operates on two BA-30 batteries (equivalent to modern D-cell batteries), providing local battery (LB) power for communication.

Modes: Supports both Local Battery (LB) and Common Battery (CB) modes, allowing it to connect to manual or automatic telephone systems.

Handset: Includes a push-to-talk handset (often a TS-13-E model) with a butterfly switch for operation.

Range: Capable of communication over several miles, depending on wire quality and conditions—typically up to 17 miles (27 km) on standard military wire.

Case: Usually housed in a canvas or leather bag (the EE-8-B often came with a canvas bag) for portability, with straps for carrying.

Components: Features a magneto for generating a ringing signal (20 Hz, 90V AC), a buzzer for incoming calls, and terminals for connecting field wire.

Holtzer-Cabot was one of several manufacturers contracted by the U.S. Signal Corps to produce the EE-8 series during WWII, alongside companies like Western Electric and Stromberg-Carlson. The EE-8-B model was part of a production run that saw hundreds of thousands of units made, with many used in the Lend-Lease program to supply allies like the USSR.
avatar

- Reply
sdrdegen: @johnny: If I goto hamvention I would like to talk about it. I know you probably don't want to open it but I'd like to get an idea for what you would like to charge for it. I'm dying to see inside!
avatar

- Reply
johnny: @sdrdegen: Well, I was bringing it because a friend I know wants to possibly buy it but I am also pretty certain he wants to open it and inspect it before buying. I just don't want to deal with the dickering after it's open, I want $400, new in box. I'm seeing them in 'good' open shape going for the same amount.
avatar

- Reply
Zach: @cb4lyfe: Thanks but not really my wheelhouse @johnny: If you open it I wouldn't mind a peek. I'm only interested if I could flip it but it's a little to niche for me. I try not to hold on to stuff more than a couple years.