Western Electric No. 317 Oak Wall Telephone – c.1910 w/ Kellogg Receiver & Docs

Step back into the dawn of American communication with this evocative Western Electric No. 317 magneto wall telephone, a remarkable survivor from the early 1900s. Crafted in solid quarter-sawn oak, it embodies both the mechanical ingenuity and the warm craftsmanship of a bygone age. The handset, produced by Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Co. of Chicago, reflects a period when rural operators and independent exchanges often mixed components from rival manufacturers to keep their lines alive.

Inside, the cabinet reveals its heart — a Western Electric No. 21W condenser, a twin-coil magneto patented July 17, 1894, and its original wiring schematic (Form 121A, dated 1907). Two vintage Eveready No.16 dry cells remain in place, one dated 1936, showing this unit may have stayed in service well into the interwar years. Even more captivating, tucked within were 1920s paper relics — a Topeka, Kansas lumber company calendar and an American Legion membership form — lending an unmistakable sense of place and history.

Whether admired as an artifact of invention, displayed for its rustic charm, or studied for its engineering, this telephone speaks eloquently of an era when a single crank could connect neighbors across miles of wire.

Condition

Good overall condition. Original and unrestored, with scratches, chips, and finish wear consistent with age and use. Displays authentic patina throughout. Metal components show oxidation and surface wear. The ear piece cord is detached, as shown. Interior wiring is original and aged. Functionality has not been tested. Sold as found.

Dimensions / Weight

24 x 9.25 x 12 inches (Height x Width x Depth)
Weight: 25 lbs