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

 Click here to go to British 300 1930's to1960's Ring back memories with Up Home Page    an old Bakelite telephone Click here to go to British Candlestick 1900's to 1930's       

For Spare Parts Click Here                            For Repairs and Conversions Click Here

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Contact        How to find me

All telephones are available to buy by mail order
£15 post and packing to all parts of the UK.
Smaller parts post and packing is from £3.50 to UK only
You can collect from my shop at weekends by arrangement

 

Up
Repairs Conversions
Virgin Line
BT line
TalkTalk Line
Sky Line
Pulse/Tone Dialling
Broadband
Bell Problems
Ebonite and Bakelite

 

Bell Problems

My telephones' bell or extension bell worked in your shop, but not when I tried it at home. What is the problem?

Modern push button telephones and bells now only use two wires in an extension socket. But three wires are need for an old dial telephone to ring or to stop dial tinkle or other odd noises. Many electricians do not take into account old telephones any more, and only use two wires to wire extension sockets. No third wire, so the telephone or bell does not ring or suffers from dial tinkle.

What do I do?

  • The first thing is to plug the offending telephone or bell in The Master Socket (Usually the socket that your incoming telephone line is wired to first).

  • Next get someone to call you.

  •  If the telephone or bell does not ring, there is a fault with the telephone or bell or master socket. Please call me on the number below for advice.

  • If the telephone or bell rings, this proves there is either a wiring error or fault in the line to the extensions.

  • You can either find the fault yourself or call in an electrician to sort out the wiring.

  • Caution  BT are not responsible for the telephone wiring in your house after the Master socket. If you call them for anything other than a problem with your Master socket or telephone line, you could suffer hefty charges.

  • An easier work around is to fit a broadband filter fitted with a ringing capacitor to the telephone (Whether you are on broadband or not). Click here for a broadband filter which will do the job. Just plug it in.

     

    When I dial out using a dial telephone, other telephones or extension bells make odd noises such as dial tinkle. What is the dial tinkle and what is the problem?

    Dial tinkle means that as you dial a number on your telephone, other telephones or bells make a tinkling or other sounds.

    What causes it?  Usually it is a fault in the wiring between extensions or between extensions and the master socket. More rarely it a fault with the telephone.
    These days electricians are used to wiring up extension sockets using just two wires.

Click here to visit the Battlesbridge Antiques centre website

Click here to see the Battlesbridge Antiques Centre web site

Repairs Conversions ] Virgin Line ] BT line ] TalkTalk Line ] Sky Line ] Pulse/Tone Dialling ] Broadband ] [ Bell Problems ] Ebonite and Bakelite ]
Credit/Debit Cards are the preferred method of payment. I no longer accept cheques.

If you wish to place an order, or have an enquiry, please read all below.

Please call me (Gavin Payne) by telephone if you wish to place an order for a telephone, spare parts, or have an enquiry.  I can usually be reached 9.00am to 5.45pm any day, including weekends. Calls in the evening are not appreciated and could make me very grumpy. The number is 01245 400601.

I am in the shop most Saturday and Sunday mornings between 10.00 and 12.00. These are the only times I am in the shop for the sale of spare parts, conversions and repairs.  Conversions and repairs can often be carried out while you wait.

If you have a telephone that you want to know more about, or have it repaired or converted, please have it right next to you when you call. Please also have a selection of small flat bladed screwdrivers to hand.
 I do not give advice for DIY repairs or conversions or valuations of any kind over the telephone or by email. Please bring the telephone to my shop for assessment, but always call me first before bringing it in.

Emails to gp@theoldtelephone.co.uk or copy and paste gp@theoldtelephone.co.uk into your email programme or app .

By post to The Old Telephone Company, The Old Granary, 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 2013 by The Old Telephone Company
 

E&OE