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
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.
Conversions* and Repairs
*To enable an old telephone to be plugged in to a telephone socket
Telephone conversions and repairs are carried out
for personal callers only. I do not convert or repair telephones sent by post or
carrier.
If the telephone cannot be converted or repaired "While you wait", and
it is inconvenient to return later, I can then post it back to you.
Conversion costs are from £28 and repair costs are from £20
A spares price list is available for your inspection
should any parts be required.
I have workshop facilities at
Battlesbridge, and
am often able to convert or repair your telephone while you wait. But please call
me by telephone (see below) first.
It is essential that you call me first
by telephone (see below) if you wish to have your telephone converted or
repaired.
Please have the telephone with you when you call, and if possible have a
selection of small flat bladed screwdrivers.
I can convert most types of dial telephones (subject to inspection) to enable
them to be plugged into a telephone socket both here in The UK and most other
countries.
CONVERSION KITS......
I do not sell conversion kits, or give advice about "do it
yourself" conversions
or repairs.
The reason I do not sell conversion kits is that often other parts
of the telephone require attention (even
the 300 series telephones are at least 40 to 70 years old now). To try to
identify, and even harder to fix, problems at long range can be frustrating both for myself and for the
customer.
I will not convert magneto "Crank handle" telephones. I refuse do do
this on the grounds that to do so would entail heavily
modifying the telephone. Many really early or interesting old telephones have
been vandalised in this way.
My conversions are limited to doing just enough to enable the telephone to work
satisfactorily.
I may replace the receiver and microphone with later types. But it is always
done in such a way that the telephone can be put back the way it was.
INDIAN TELEPHONES and REPRODUCTION TELEPHONES I do not convert or repair reproduction telephones or any telephone
originating from India.
Indian Bakelite 300 series can often be identified by checking the underside of
the handset grip. It may have a heart shaped emblem enclosing the letters ITI.
ITI stands for Indian Telephone Industries of Bangalore. There are other ways of
identifying an Indian Telephone, but the easiest way is to call me by telephone
(see below) . Please have the telephone with you.
Onyx telephones are reproductions. Despite appearances, they are not very old.
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.