Wanted: Identification of artefact

[Robert Bergeron]

Wanted : Identification of this artefact . Green Canadian WW2 paint . Learher strap . 3 holes on side . No door or opening . Crank on one side . Square , Height , depth and width of an Iphone in all directions . Field phone , exploder , power source for a radio ? Looks like a magneto of some kind . No part number anywhere .

[rob love]

I think linemen had something like that for testing line/looking for breaks. Can't say for certain that is what you have though, because if it was for linemen you would expect a simple method for connecting the wire. . Normally an exploder would have a condenser and a button to release the charge.

[Robert Bergeron]

Makes sense Rob and thanks for the idea . Any other ideas anyone ? What type of plug would go on the side ?

[Robert Bergeron]

Here is a better picture .

[Bob Phillips]

Is there any chance you could use a multimeter to check and see if it produces any voltage? That might provide a clue as to its function.

[Bob Carriere]

...for the linemen to reach the operator while in the post to make sure the line is working .......

[Robert Bergeron]

Hi Bob & Bob this is Bob . I get 4-5 Volts when i turn the crank Bob . Makes a lot of sense what you are saying Bob . So Rob , Bob, Bob and Bob agree this is a lineman’s tool to find breaks and ring the standard. Now what about the plug ? Why 3 pins ?I will hereafter refer to it as a ringer .

[maple_leaf_eh]

Why three plugs? Probably to connect to the field phone lines differently.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Why three plugs? Probably to connect to the field phone lines differently.

Not sure you should be in this thread Terry.....this is a meeting of the Bobs.



Robert
Rob
Bob
Bob
Terry ?

[Robert Bergeron]

How about we give poor Terry a break of the Bob’s . I thought of posting this in the wireless section but it is wired . So we have two orphans : Terry and ringer . Anyone here know a Jimmy who could help me with this piece of kit ? Then we will have Bobs , a Terry and a Jimmy .

[chris vickery]

Frank vR? He’s a Comms guy.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Chris you helped me find a Jimmy . Frank you there ?

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Hi Bob & Bob this is Bob. Makes a lot of sense what you are saying, Bob. So Rob , Bob, Bob and Bob agree this is a lineman’s tool to find breaks.

In Australian colloquial speech, an "educated best guess" is usually called "my Two Bob's Worth" (ie worth 2 shillings in the old currency). Surely 3 Bobs and a Rob means something worthier? Not sure it will catch on.

[Chris Suslowicz]

How big are the holes in the side? If they're a quarter inch bore (6.35mm) they may be standard Post Office Jacks, for headphones or microphone, and maybe line connection.

I think you are going to have to remove the protective corner pieces and take the (non dovetailed) sides off for a look a the innards.

Might be a field phone, but it's a rather odd one if so.



Chris.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

How about we give poor Terry a break of the Bob’s . I thought of posting this in the wireless section but it is wired . So we have two orphans : Terry and ringer . Anyone here know a Jimmy who could help me with this piece of kit ? Then we will have Bobs , a Terry and a Jimmy .

My brother's name is Robert/Robin/Rob/Bob so I can participate as an Honourary Bob...

[Jesse Browning]

The US field phone and switchboards had a similar arrangement for the headset plug.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

My brother's name is Robert/Robin/Rob/Bob so I can participate as an Honourary Bob...

Sounds to me like you missed it by one place on the birth order.

Robert is an old German name that means “bright fame.” It's taken from the old German name Hrodebert. The name is made up of two elements: “Hrod” which means fame and “Beraht” which means bright. The name was introduced to the people of England by the Normans in the middle ages.

[Jesse Browning]

Headphone jack.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Tony , Chris & Jesse . We have collectively determined it’s a Lineman’s tool called a ringer . It is basicly a magneto to produce current . I introduced two wires in the side holes and turned the crank . Ouch ! I was shocked . That’s what gave me the idea of using the volmeter . 4-5 Volts . I will try a few different plugs next week as Jesse suggests it may be a common plug from another piece of kit like a standard or a phone . So the ringer rings the bell on a field phone connected down the line to find and correct a fault . What other application could this be used for ? This is just my two Bob’s but we have at least 4 .

[Jesse Browning]

Headset plug.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Ah, the mistake was using the voltmeter on the DC ranges. The magneto generator in a field phone typically puts out 70 - 120 volts at around 19Hz (voltage and frequency will depend on load and how fast you crank it).

It's enough to give you quite a 'belt' if you're not expecting it - or even if you are.

It may be an accessory for early switchboards that used buzzer calling to allow them to be used with magneto telephones. (Or just to ring a bell (or bells) somewhere, e.g. on a rifle range.) The sockets are probably for standard 1/4" jack plugs (2 conductor type), as used of Switchboard U.C. and earlier types.

Best regards,
Chris.

[Bob Phillips]

I am kind of with Chris on this, maybe it would be worth carefully pulling off one side for a peek at the innards. IT WOULD be interesting to see, and by now you have whipped up a frenzy of curiosity in the peanut gallery!! Besides, I would hate to have you plug in a headset and accidently give yourself shock therapy!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

... It is basicly a magneto to produce current . I introduced two wires in the side holes and turned the crank . Ouch ! I was shocked. That’s what gave me the idea of using the voltmeter. 4-5 Volts . .... This is just my two Bob’s but we have at least 4 .

And how many years of higher education did you complete? Ah, Bob! You know that the best humour is when you laugh at yourself!

[Robert Bergeron]

OK , ok , i will tear it apart tomorrow to show you the insides . Terry , yes it was stupid but an inquisitive mind has no limits …..Only an officer would do such a stupid thing. Might as well put my tongue on the poles …. .

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

OK , ok , i will tear it apart tomorrow ...... Might as well put my tongue on the poles …. .

Shame you can't post a video on MLU!

[Robert Bergeron]

There you are . I am working on connecting it with telephone wire to do the tongue test again …. But no . I had a spike at 40 Volts ! Average being between 2 and 10 Volts depending on the speed i turn the crank . I am starting to believe it’s a military engeneer exploder. I got current from two poles . The third pole was neither + nor - in combination with the other two. It jas a very strong leather strap and no markings whatsoever .

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

There you are . I am working on connecting it with telephone wire to do the tongue test again ….

Don't do that, you really won't enjoy it.

It might, in fact, be a telephone, or a ringer that has been modified into one.

There's too much stuff in there to be just a magneto generator, but it looks vaguely like something off a very old switchboard (very old = WW1) with an induction coil added.

There are similar bits of kit (as woodcut illustrations) in "Instructions in Army Telegraphy and Telephone (Instruments)", but I'm wondering if it's American.

(I shall go and find another book...)

Best regards,
Chris.

[maple_leaf_eh]

After looking inside, would conventional 1/4" phone plugs fit those sockets?

https://www.parts-express.com/Amphen...Black-092-0122

[Robert Bergeron]

Terry , i will try it today and report back ! Thanks .

[Robert Bergeron]

Mystery solved : 1/4 “ guitar plugs fit very well ! Why ?