TELEPHONE No. 1

A standard GPO wall telephone for use in C.B. exchange areas. It was originally called the "Telephone, Wall, C.B. 3 terminal" and later the "Telephone, Wall, C.B. 5 terminal". The 3 terminal type was superseded by the 5 terminal type. When the GPO moved to a numbering scheme for telephones in 1911 it then became the Telephone No. 1 with the Mark 234 superseding the 3 and 5 terminal models.

Made by British Western Electric (originally their Model No. 265) and used by the National Telephone Company. The GPO inherited the NTC's telephone estate and therefore a large number of these telephones came into the hands of the GPO..

The NTC Telephone, Wall No. 16, was renamed as the GPO "Instruments, Subscribers, Wall, N.T. No. 16" and later renamed again, as the GPO Telephone No. 1.

This is a wooden cased telephone fitted with a sloping writing desk and fitted with a Bell Receiver, 1000 ohm bell ringer, Induction Coil and solid back transmitter.

Earlier types of Telephone, Wall, C.B. shown in the 1909 Rate Book included:-

Original "Telephone, Wall C.B."
"Telephone, Wall C.B. Type 2607", with detachable switch hook, punched transmitter arm and enclosed terminals.
"Telephone, Wall C.B. Type G". Similar to the Type 2607, but with plain woodwork.

A later style, the Mark 234, was introduced around 1917 (see picture to the right) and these were fitted with a detachable switch hook, the Hook, Receiver F. The top of the telephone was square and not ornate like previous models. These were made by Western Electric, their Model No. 312.

In 1914 the rate Book advises that the NTC "Instruments, Subscribers, Wall, N.T. I.S.W.E" and "Instruments, Subscribers, Wall, N.T. No's 13, 14 and 16" were all to be included under the Telephone No 1.

A coin collecting box can be connected to this telephone.

The telephone should be fixed to the wall, the lower edge 40 inches from the floor.

This telephone superseded the Instrument, Subscribers, Wall N.T. No. 13.

This telephone was in the 1928 Rate book but not available in the 1946 Rate Book.

Telephone Includes - 5 Terminal type (1906 and 1909):-
1 x Cord No. 202.
2 x Cords Flexible No. 116 (1915).
1 x Siemens Brothers Transmitter C.B.
1 x Induction Coil.
1 x Magneto Bell 1000ohms.
1 x Condenser M.C. 2uf.
1 x Bell, Receiver (1906) or Bell, Receiver B, C or D (1909).

Telephone Includes (1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915):-
1 x Cord No. 222.
1 x Transmitter No. 1.
1 x Coil, Induction No. 4.
1 x Bell No. 11A.
1 x Condenser M.C. No. 2, 2uf.
1 x Receiver, Bell No.1.

Telephone Includes - Mark 234 (1928):-
1 x Receiver, Bell No. 1A (60ohms).
1 x Bell No. 1A, Unmounted.
1 x Coil, Induction No. 4.
1 x Capacitor, M.C. No.3.
1 x Cord, Flexible 2/22B, Brown, 33".
1 x Arm, Transmitter No. 1.
1 x Frames, Notice No. 1.
1 x Glass No. 3.
1 x Hook, Receiver F.
1 x Transmitter No. 1.
2 x Cord, Flexible 1/16E, Black, 12".
1 x Label No. 43.

Mark N.T. No.13 (1915):-
1 x Coil, Induction No.3.
1 x Condenser, M.C. No. 6.

Mark N.T. Nos. 14 and 16 (1915):-
1 x Coil, Induction No.3.
1 x Condenser, M.C. No. 2, 2uf.
1 x Transmitter NT No. 13 (No. 14 only)

Additional Information
Early Type - 3 Terminal:-
1 x Coil, Induction No. 4.
1 x Bell No. 11A.
1 x Condenser M.C. No. 2.

Later Type - 5 Terminal:-
1 x Induction, Coil, No. 4.
1 x Bell No. 1A, Unmounted.
1 x Condenser MC No. 3.
1 x Hook, Receiver F.

Early Telephone No.1's were in fact NTC badged. NTC bought the phones from British Western Electric who made them in Antwerp, Belgium. The B.P.O continued to purchase from the British Western Electric Co. and this was their model No. 312.

Some may have been made by British Ericsson, their mode N1460.

Superseded by the Telephone No. 101.

Circuit diagrams - N101 and C.B. 518.

A discussion on the Telephone No. 1

How to convert to Plug and Socket

Labels for the notice frame