Admiralty Telephones

Admiralty Pattern (AP) Telephones

Two patterns of telephone used aboard UK Royal Navy ships are seen quite commonly. They are found in both CB and Automatic versions, normally with a metal 'dial label'.

The 'table' type is often mounted on a wall bracket and uses Gecophone cases (GEC) with an internal circuitry made by AEI Ltd at Spennymoor.  The cases can be marked as GEC.

Both patterns have elaborate clips for restraining the handset in heavy seas.

Other patterns can also be found - see pictures below.

Colours: Black (table telephone), grey (wall telephone).

User:   British Royal Navy.

Why use Sound Powered Telephones?

AP12687	AP12932

So-called 'Ships Gecophone' made by AEI	So-called 'Ships Gecophone' made by AEI

 

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AP12687

Slim version of the all metal telephone.  Handset is well located on the frame to hold in place during stormy weather.

Made by TMC.

Uses a handset AP12690

 

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AP12688

AP12688 with GEC stamp on the case. The Handset is numbered AP12691	Close up of the AP12688 switch hook mechanism

Circuit diagram for telephone above Click here for how to convert to UK PST system

Handset AP12691

This handset was used on many of the Admiralty telephones

AP13231

The phone in the pictures below shows a plate below the glass lens saying `MK XV AP13231 A TELE. MFG. Co. LONDON.  On the very top there is a plate saying GWR.  There is also an engraved number on the box stating AP 12570.   The phone weighs nearly 7kg and the dimensions are around 8" wide x 9.5" high x 8" depth.

This is a sound phone and needs no power to speak or ring.

Front view showing the model number plate

Looking down from the top at the plate on the top

Case open

 

AP12932

Alfred Graham & co of Halifax, England is (or was) one of Britain's oldest telephone makers, having started in the 1880s as far as one can recall.  Early on they found a niche market in making telephones for shipboard use and supplied most of the navy's warships between 1890 and 1914.

The pictures below show an Alfred Graham model (AP12932 with AP12933 internals and a AP12691 handset).

Last revised: February 15, 2022