Period correct listening device

Rusty Homestead Fl

Rusty Homestead Fl

Senior Member
After following Fred K-OR's clicking mystery and suggested listening devices I thought I'd share this oldie I picked up. I collect antique telephones and purchased this several years ago on Ebay just for the earpiece. Well, after examining it a little closer I realized it's a period correct "listening device". You put the well insulated probe end on the block, or what ever else you're dealing with, and the other end to your ear . Just poke around with the probe end and the noise in question is amplified in the reciever part. Works great. American ingenuity at work again.
 

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I have always liked a long wooden handled phillips screwdriver, have tried all the "improved" stethoscope type things---the 24" wooden handle screwdriver works better for me.
 
I also collect telephones. (a hobbie that, sorry to say, is evaporating)

Do you think this is working just by conduction? I see no transmitter, or any way to generate any current to the receiver. I have used a stethescope often, and I find that if I take the diaphram off the stethescope and place a metal rod, and touch the rod to the engine I get great results via the earpiece. A friend has a tin can that he bolted a 2 foot wire onto the bottom, he places the wire on the motor, and the soup can over his ear, it works great.

I am interested in your photo, but do you think you are getting sound via the electrical receiver (while you have no electrical connection). I might try to disconnect one of the receiver wires and see if what you are really hearing is conduction rather than transmission of sound. Either way, it looks cool.

I also agree the long screwdriver to the ear works great, and it is always my first choice. I have the stethescope because I am in the medical field and have a few old ones that I 're-purpose'.

JMHO (Just My Humble Opinion)
 
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That is just too cool!:) Do you think it's converted from an old phone ear piece? :confused:

I have a couple old stethoscopes, but not that cool.

Stethoscopes.jpg
 
ctvpa
Yes, this is working by conduction, no generated current. The other end of the probe is soldered to the diaphram of the old telephone receiver and works on the same principle as a screwdriver but is way cooler.

Tom
That's quite a collection ya got there. Do you use them on your Model A diagnosis'?
Yep, it is an old telephone ear piece that's been modified. I like the flexable probe which makes it easier to poke around in the engine compartment. Poor mans stethoscope.
 
I've used them a couple times, but I need to find or make a new black plastic ear piece for the one which is missing.
 
Best mechanic I ever knew used one of these. Could diagnose a loose flywheel bolt, failing big end babbitt, or weak valve spring with a 6 foot broom handle with the metal tip held to the engine, and the wooden end held to his ear.

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It's a Northern Electric model, Pat. 1915-1920 in perfect working condition and completely restored by a retired ATT employee I bought it from a phone store in Cincinnati 20 years ago. I think I paid 250 bucks for it back then. What sets it apart from the tacky reproductions is that it has a true rotary dial instead of the faux dial that is actually a push button.

Jack
 
Funny, maybe I should give her my #, that would work better than trying to wire the period listening device in somewhere.
 
My mechanic uses a piece of rubber garden hose. Then if it touches a moving part ( like the fan ) it is not a big deal. He says it works better than a broom stick.
Wayne
 
Jack '29 Sport Coupe said:
This one is for Rusty. If the image doesn't show it's because of computer problems.

Jack
Click to expand...

This is getting pretty far off topic but anyone know of an antique telephone board? This is a working AT&T phone made by Western Electric that sets on the desk here. I restored it in the 60's when I worked for WE. Baked enamel finish fired in the factory oven. It has "modern" innards to work on current systems. May have to consider another upgrade to cell systems.


phone.jpg
 
I agree- The old timers I was around used a yard stick and even a wooden cane. "engine-uity" at its best:)
 
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