The Old Telephone Company,  Essex, England
Established in 1986
Exclusively old telephones and parts for nearly 25 years
I have personally restored and sold over 3000 old telephones

Go to Home Page

  Ring back memories with      an old Bakelite telephone

 
This web site does not display at all properly using Firefox, Safari or Chrome.
I am working on the problem, but in the mean time, I suggest you use Explorer if you can.
My telephone number (Daytime only) is 01245 400601

Having problems with your eBay telephone?
Contact me, I may be able to help you.

Bakelite Wall Telephones Type 311, 354, and 366

The Siemens Wall Telephones. There are now only a very few left

• General Information Click Here

  • This series of wall phones were made by Siemens Brothers of Woolwich London from 1931. The Automatic Telephone Manufacturing Company also made a broadly similar device.
    

  • This range was made for private systems such as hospitals, but most were exported to be used in national telephone systems. 
    The 311 and 354 models generally date to 1932, and the 366, 1946 to 1951. They are all of similar appearance.

• Historical Information Click Here

  • All these were exported to Canada mainly to the Provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
    

  • Wall telephones were much more widely used in North America than here in the UK. The GPO Bakelite wall phones are much rarer.

• Technical Information Click Here

  • Electrically the 311 is similar to a GPO 232 with its bell set 26.
     

  • The 354 and 366 models were probably not used in the UK, as they were designed for long distance work. Both have much higher impedance bells than the 311. The anti-side tone and impedance matching transformer also differed. This reduced losses while the telephone was in use, and provided more reliable ringing.
    

  • They all used a handset based on the Ericsson design for the GPO. The mouthpiece was different with a flatter design, than the conventional GPO mouthpiece.
    All used a type 10 dial with markings appropriate to the Canadian market.

To see a larger picture, click the thumbnail image.

These telephones are included in the both the 200, 300 and wall phone sections as they range in date from 1931 to the early 1950's.
The hinged front enabling easy access to view the internals is a useful feature.
The bells are built in.
Note the flat mouthpiece differs from the usual curved GPO pattern.

Type 366 post-war
Type 354 and 311 pre-war
There are only a very few of these telephones left. They are now priced individually.
See my shop for the latest restored example

The very last few good examples are now being sold.

Prices from £280 depending on age and condition.

There will be some available with minor cosmetic defects at bargain prices in the shop from time to time.
These will not be sold by mail order as the customer will need to inspect them before buying. They will still benefit from my usual guarantee.

I have a few original restored mounting plates at £10

The telephone does not have to be mounted on this plate, but it is a nice period touch.

Click here for spares    Have your 311-354-366 converted

I prefer payment by all the usual Credit/Debit Cards.

If you wish to place an order, or have an enquiry, please read all of this section before trying to contact me I much prefer it you to call me (Gavin Payne) by telephone if you wish to place an order, or have an enquiry. Now my wife is at home recovering well from her accident, I can usually be reached 9.00am to 5.30pm seven days of the week. Calls in the evening are not appreciated and could make me very grumpy. The number is 01245 400601, or if calling from outside the United Kingdom (44)1245 400601.
I am in attendance in the shop most Saturday and Sunday mornings between 10.00 and 12.00. If you have a telephone in your possession that you want to know more about, or have repaired or converted, please have it right next to you when you call. It is not sufficient just to have a note of any markings or to rely on memory. It may be useful to have a selection of small flat bladed screwdrivers to hand.  Please also note, I do not give advice for DIY repairs or conversions or valuations of any kind over the telephone or by email. You are welcome to bring the telephone to my shop for help or comments.
Emails to gp@theoldtelephone.co.uk .  If you do not receive an answer to an email in a day or so, please call me on the telephone number above.
By post to The Old Telephone Company, Battlesbridge Antiques Centre,
 Battlesbridge, Essex SS11 7RE.  

The Old Telephone Company respects your privacy, and will not divulge any information about you to a third party.
Copyright © 1996 to 2010 by The Old Telephone Company
Last modified: February 26, 2010