How do you open a old bell telephone? The hanging on the wall unit.?

Question

I got it at a flea market and its neat. We had a yellow on in the kitchen just like it in the 70's. I am going to hang it in the basement for actual use.

Its very dirty and I want to clean it inside and out. I can almost get it off but it won't come off without breaking it. Its loose but the hook where the receiver is in the way. I don't think it comes off. I think the bottom has a hinge so you can pull it down and work on it while hanging on the wall.

I have seen the telephone guy working on it this way back 100 years ago. On the reverse the phone says "Bell System Property. Not for Sale".

I got it for two bucks!

There is a tab of some sort at the bottom. I think that might be a release but the problem is the top.

Answer 1

All the old wall phones that I have had had a latch on the bottom. I can't remember whether it is just in front or just behind the cord that goes to the receiver. There is an oblong hole that the cord comes out of. If you push a screwdriver up into it against the metal tab the cover will release from the bottom and you should be able to lift it up and off. There is just a hook on the top. No screws. Good Luck

Answer 2

There is a metal clip at the top or the bottom of the phone that you push up and it should come right off. I remember having one of those phones and taking the cover off.  

Answer 3

There will be a key lock on it somewhere at the side or front usually.

This shows you how to convert one to home use.

http://www.youtube.com/login?next=/watch...

Answer 4

Once you get the screws loose the front should just lift up and away from the phone.  You can probably clean it fairly well with canned air - blow all the cobwebs out and look for corrosion on the contacts.  Good luck.