Friends, a long time ago, before the great reset where we lost all our photos, I posted some of my old telephone restorations.
Here is my Western Electric 320 "Explosion proof telephone" I restored back then, proudly displayed in a corner of my home office where it get's used for work. During the pandemic, I would call in to video-conference meeting from it for the audio, so my collegues would see me standing there talking on the phone. Priceless. It has the benefit also of being able to hear the ringer from down the street.


It's missing the key and the inside cable gland on the handset. Well, wouldn't ya know my luck always comes through, eventually...and I found not only a key, but a later 520 series in near mint condition...complete with its cable gland to replicate for the 320. I'm hoping to find a milsurp friend with a lathe willing to help me make this rather simple set of brass parts.

Here is a stock image (since I already disassembled mine) behind the front cover. Arrow pointing to the part I'm talking about...

Now On the backside of the bulkhead...


I cannot remove the handset without splicing the handset cord. The speaker/mic covers are welded/sealed on, and the heavy rubber knob that forms the seal was spliced in and heat-welded to the rest of the outer insulation. Nonetheless, I can dissemble enough to get accurate measurements.
It's in 4 parts. 1) outer sleeve that passes through the front of the bulkhead. 2) a nut that screws on to the outer sleeve from the inside...in the event of that internal atmosphere sparking, the explosion would expand the outer brass sleeve to seal against the bulkhead. It's a tight fit to the bulkhead, but not a press fit. the brass sleeve plus out with fingers, but is a perfect fit. 3) the solid rubber knob on the cord's insulation is compressed by 4) the inner compression nut.


I could wait a few years until I have lathe, but that goal keeps getting pushed back. Anyone interested?
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