TELEPHONE No. 4

L.B. Pedestal Telephone

Introduced around 1906, 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", but was later renamed as the Telephone No. 4 circa 1911.

Used on the following exchange systems:-
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.

It was originally fitted with a Transmitter No. 2, which included a 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 type carbon granule 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.

There was also a Telephone No. 4A that was used on Phonogram and Telephone-telegram circuits. This was introduced circa 1916 and had a Plug No. 401 and Cord, Flexible No. 428 fitted instead of the usual strips flexible and six wire connecting cord. Diagram EC 1065 refers.

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.

This telephone required batteries to power the transmitter. The battery is placed in a battery box and fitted close to the bell set to which it would be connected. Originally two Leclanche cells would have been used.

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.

The insulating bush inserted into the cable entry hole is made of Ebonite.

The switch hook springs consist of a make and a changeover contact set.

The telephone could also be fitted with a Watch Receiver and this would hang on a Hook, Receiver D, which would be fitted to the neck, under the transmitter (see picture above).

There are also 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.

Uses a Label No. 78 or 160 for dialling instructions and number presentation.

The telephone has a rubber ring insert in the base plate to stop movement and damage to surfaces. These tend to decompose and break up, so a replacement is a 42mm length of 6mm of solid rubber tubing.

Superseded by the Telephone No. 156.

Telephone includes (1906 and 1910):-
1 x Cords, Flexible No. 202.
1 x Cords, Flexible No. 223.
1 x Cords, Flexible No. 605.
1 x Transmitter, Inset, Micro (1906) or Transmitter, Inset, Metal, Complete (1910).
1 x Bell, Receiver B, C or D (1910).
1 x Strip, Flexible Cord Connection, 6-terminal.
1 x Label No. 78, 78A or 78B.

Telephone includes (1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1928):-
2 x Cord, Instrument No. 116.
1 x Cord, Instrument No. 222.
1 x Cord, Instrument No. 605.
1 x Hook, Receiver F.
1 x Strip, Flexible Cord Connection, 6-Terminal.
1 x Transmitter No. 2.
1 x Mouthpiece No. 4.
1 x Receiver, Bell No. 1

To be requisitioned separately if required:-
1 x Label No. 78, or 78A, or 78B.

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. 2/22B, Brown, 33".
1 x Cords, Instrument No. 6/08A, Brown, 72".

Circuit diagrams - EC1065 (Dated 1917) and N104.

Diagram - N505 and CBS265 (CBS 1 and Magneto - Non-Condensered).
Diagram - CBS590 (CBS Nos. 2 & 3 and Magneto - Condensered).

Drawings - 10015, 9544 & 62901.

Specification - D202.

Made obsolete in 1947 and superseded by Telephone No. 156LB in 1936.

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