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Admiralty Pattern telephone

Code: M25436

Admiralty Pattern telephone, AP12688 introduced in the  late1930s and used throughout WW2.   Designed for use on board British Royal Navy / FAA ships, this bakelite 'pyramid' telephone has a distinctive chromed metal cradle with a sprung handset restraint that would secure the handset whilst at sea.  It is likely that the same phones were used in the offices of deskbound naval and Fleet Air Arm officers.  This version has a chromed No.12 alphanumeric dial, another in our own collection has no dial, and is wired as a 'direct line' phone.  The telephone (instrument) base was manufactured by G.E.C. and mounted on a black painted metal base unit.  It has maker's marks to the rear and is marked in white with the Admiralty Pattern reference code at the front.  The type 164 handset is marked 'Siemens Brothers & Co. Ltd. London' and wired via what appears to be the original black cotton braided cable.  Overall condition is excellent, there is minor marking to the bakelite but no chips or cracks and the colour remains good.  The handset is also undamaged with  correct GPO 15 mouthpiece, AP12698A microphone and GPO 23 earpiece.  The dial functions smoothly and retains the rare and original black metal dial 'label'.  The chromed cradle has minor pitting and wear and sadly the spring has broken so the handset restraint doesn't automtically lock back over the handset when it is replaced.  Given more time I'd have attempted to fabricate a new spring and replaced it.  A fantastic looking phone.  Unconverted/original but could no doubt be wired for modern use.  Extremely heavy.  Stock code M25436.