[Asterisk-Users] [OT] Oldest Telephone

[Michael Welter]

While the rest of you were chatting about the smallest * server, I was 
sitting her staring at the telephone hanging on the wall.

It is a Western Electric set in a varnished pine box with an earpiece 
you hold in your left hand and a mouthpiece attached to the box.  You 
crank the magneto with your right hand to signal the switchboard.

The two dry cells inside are dated 1935, and I'm throwing them away 
because they're leaking acid.

Wouldn't it be a kick to be able to ring this phone from an * server and 
have a conversation.

There are several lugs inside:  L1, GND, L2, COND (no condenser 
installed), E, and K.  And of course the two battery lugs.

Does anyone know anything at all about this set?  I realize the CO 
supplies battery instead of the telephone, but can the phone be 
modified?  Also, am I going to blow a FXS card if I don't get it right?

Cheers,
Mike