TELEPHONE No. 4

LB Pedestal Telephone

Introduced around 1911, this Local Battery Pedestal (Candlestick) telephone, with no dial aperture, was used on CBS and Magneto exchanges. It was used in conjunction with a Generator No. 4CN.

This telephone was also known as the "Telephone, Table, P.B., Transmitter Type".

CBS No. 1 - Table telephone if used with Bellset No. 5.
CBS No's 2 & 3 - Table telephone if used with Bellset No. 15.
Magneto (Condensered and Non-condensered) table telephone if used with Bellset No. 5 and Generator.

Originally fitted with Transmitter No. 2 and Transmitter, Insert No. 3. This transmitter could be rotated, to stop the carbon granules from packing. Packing greatly impaired transmission and was a well known fault with fixed transmitters.

The Transmitter No. 2 would have Label No. 78 fitted between the speaking tube and the transmitter body. This label advised of the Exchange name and number.

The switch hook consists of two change-over type contact sets.

There was also a Telephone No. 4A that was used on Phonogram and Telephone-telegram circuits. This had a plug ended (Plug No. 401 or 404 or 406) 4 wire line cord fitted, instead of a screw type block terminal with a six wire connecting cord.

This was the standard telephone instrument arranged for standing upon a table. Since this telephone is simply a transmitter, a receiver, and a gravity switch, the instrument is not complete, and a separate hand generator is provided, usually fixed to the desk or table in close proximity to the table telephone; the induction coil and magneto bell, with the condenser (should one be required), are fitted in a case and are known as a Bell Set.

The bell set for use with the telephone is Bell Set No. 5, if the condenser is not necessary, and Bell Set No. 15 if a condenser is required. The bell set need not be fitted close to the telephone so long as it is within audible distance of it. The primary battery is placed in a battery box and fitted close to the bell set to which it is connected.

The Gravity switch is a new design where the contact springs are operated by an Ebonite rod. This ensures that the receiver hook is insulated from the line, in case of a high voltage contact between external overhead cables.

There are a number of revisions to this telephone (Marks 234 to 236). The Mark 236 is fitted with a Transmitter No. 22.

Early table telephones were connected to the internal wiring with a Strip, Flexible Cord Connection. Click here for more information.

Superseded by the Telephone No. 156.

Telephone includes (1928):-
2 x Cord, Instrument No. 116.
1 x Cord, Instrument No. 222.
1 x Cord, Instrument No. 608.
1 x Hook, Receiver F.
1 x Strip, Flexible Cord Connection, 6-terminal.
1 x Transmitter No. 2.
1 x Receiver, Bell No. 1A

To be requisitioned separately if required:-
Label No. 78, or 78C, or 78D.

Telephone includes (1946):-
1 x Block, Terminal No. 20/8, Black.
1 x Dial, Automatic, Dummy No. 4.
1 x Hook, Receiver F.
2 x Cord, Instrument No. 1/16E, Black, 12".
1 x Receiver, Bell No. 1A.
1 x Transmitter No. 22.
1 x Cords, Instrument No. 22/22B, Brown, 33".
1 x Cords, Instrument No. 6/08A, Brown, 72".

Circuit diagram - N104.

Diagram - CBS 265 (CBS 1 and Magneto - Non condensered).
Diagram - CBS 590 (CBS Nos. 2 & 3 and Magneto - Condensered).

Drawings - 10015, 9544 & 62901 (Mark 235 dated 1911).

Specification - D202.

Made obsolete in 1947 and superseded by Telephone No. 156LB.

When fitted with a Transmitter No. 2 the exchange number label is a Label No. 78.

Click here for pictures of a Candlestick before refurbishment

Click here for Candlestick construction and how to dismantle the phone

Candlestick construction

Candlestick Manufacturing (Messrs Keitmann)

Collectors Information - what to look for

Telephone mouthpiece sanitisers