Oh boy, I am way out of my league here.  From what is written on the bottom of the telephone, I believe that this is a 5H6 SL D ST Line Ringer. I have no idea what this means.  The telephone appears to be in great condition EXCEPT that it might have been painted or the telephone is decomposing.  I don't know what is happening but as I was cleaning the telephone chips of what look like black paint kept on showing up on my hands and the cleaning cloth.  If you look at the number 3 in the rotary dialer you can see one of these paint chips which has since fallen off.  Also, if you look at the body of the telephone, you can see what look like drips of paint. Perhaps one of you viewing this auction know what is happening because I am clueless.  
   Everything appears to be original including the cords  but as you can see from my photographs, one cord was modified to use a more modern wall plug.  Also, the disc that showed your telephone number is missing. I don't know if the phone works but in moving the telephone we heard the ringer.  On the bottom from panel, there is a line in the middle of it. It is not a scratch but it is a mark. If you enlarge the third photograph it is visible.  
  The base measures 7.5 inches by 5.25 inches. With the receiver in the cradle the telephone is 6 inches tall. I believe that this is a "pyramid" telephone. I think that it is very cool.


Another eBay very kindly sent me this information and agreed to let me post it here.  Thanks so much, Mike!

New message from: mmikejbenne (1,312Red Star)

The markings mean Model 5H6 with a Straight Line (private line, not party line) ringer. I don't know what the D is though. It looks like somebody spray-painted the shell, that is why the black flecks and chips when you try to clean it. Maybe they thought it was too dull, so painting would make it look shinier? Smooth plastic does not hold paint well, unless you don't want that paint there. Then, of course, it is impossible to remove.

Michael J. Benardo


8/31/20 Here is more information from Mike:

5H6 SL D is the model number, St. line ringer means it has a ringer for private lines, as opposed to a Frequency ringer, which is for Party lines. The two screws for the ringer are missing, so I am not sure what you heard. The dial sticks, as it should be at rest, not as if somebody with an invisible finger is dialing "O" for operator. Probably just need oil. As this phone has a plastic shell, it is a post-war phone, or at least is a post-war Refurb, as pre-war phones had a metal shell. These phones can be retro-fitted with a Western Electric dial if you can't get this one working, and can be retro-fitted with a Leich ringer, as long as the stock gongs are present.

Michael J. Benardo


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