unknown telephone piece
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Inventory Number: 1998-1-0457b
Classification: Telephone
Subject:
Owner: Harvard University (founded 1636)
Maker: American ?
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
13.7 × 11.2 × 3.5 cm (5 3/8 × 4 7/16 × 1 3/8 in.)
Accessories: 1998-1-0457a: might be from same instrument; similar materials and style
Description:
A part of a device which appears to be a piece of a larger section of telephone equipment, possibly a switching mechanism. The device consists of a metal switchhook assembly mounted on a piece of an irregularly-shaped wooden panel.
A Y-shaped metal piece is attached by a pivot point to an irregularly-shaped metal mounting bracket and hook. The mounting bracket is attached by a pair of slot-headed screws to a piece of a wooden panel, painted black.
On the reverse side of the panel, four brass tabs are mounted in a semicircle, and secured by slot-headed screws. A rounded brass tongue is connected to the Y-shaped piece on the front of the panel so that as the Y moves, the tongue rotates and makes contact with one of the metal tabs.
A Y-shaped metal piece is attached by a pivot point to an irregularly-shaped metal mounting bracket and hook. The mounting bracket is attached by a pair of slot-headed screws to a piece of a wooden panel, painted black.
On the reverse side of the panel, four brass tabs are mounted in a semicircle, and secured by slot-headed screws. A rounded brass tongue is connected to the Y-shaped piece on the front of the panel so that as the Y moves, the tongue rotates and makes contact with one of the metal tabs.
Signedunsigned
FunctionTelephone communication, possibly part of a telephone switching box. The exact function is unknown.
