GPO 746 rotary dial phone. Which one?

[slowmotion]

My International Centre for World Domination is nearing completion, and I need a suitable phone to discuss weighty matters with the presidents of Russia and the US. A red type 746 would do, but it has to be heavy and clunky. So many of the contemporary knock-offs are reported to be disappointingly lightweight, and there is nothing worse than having to use two hands to stop them wandering away when dialling. If anybody has a recommendation, I would be really grateful to hear it. Thank you.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I bought a black '706F from an antique/junk shop in Glasgow a while back (I can give you their details). I know they can be faked, but if it has a 'refurbished in .....' date, then it might just be real (mine is Feb 1972. It also has a number disc for Central Glasgow on the rotary dial). I guess it is best to discuss it with the seller, or...... Go on Ebay!

Short of looking it up or talking to an antique dealer, I do not know what the tell tale signs are for it being genuine, sorry, but I imagine the older ones will be, as you say, more substantial in weight. I know mine is!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

http://telephonesuk.co.uk/phones_1960-80.htm

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

The answer to the original question is no, I know nothing about mobile phones.

I have just bought a GPO 706F Rotary Phone from the '60s for crying out loud!!

But does it work? Have you made and received calls with it yet?

Indeed, it was refurbished and it was tested in the shop for me!

As long as your provider still uses loop/disconnect signalling. You might have problems with some businesses tho' when they ask you to enter a number.

Yes, can you imaging "enter the sixteen digit number from your card, followed by the hash key now"?

No speed dial feature though.

I am surprised at how quickly the dial wheel resets itself. Maybe it is because it has been restored and has new parts that aren't worn out, but I remember phones years ago, and they were noticably slower.

That said, it receives calls, but I cannot ring from it (it makes the clicking noises for it dialing, but then gives a message that service is unavailable... So at least it works!).

This doesn't bother me too much at this stage as I had really bought the phone for when I move, but also, I read that you need an older style of line for it anyway as most lines are now set up for touching the keypad, etc. On these newer lines, a rotary can receive calls but cannot send, which is exactly what it is doing, so no worries!

 

[ufkacbln]

No taste!

Any Evil Overlord would use a Scandiphone:

Far more use as a weapon then the standard GPO phone as well if there is a challenge to your authority

 

[Freds Dad]

I have a few that I'm refurbing if you're interested but no red ones I'm afraid.

 

[Globalti]

Here's why a good one weighs a lot:

 

[snorri]

My International Centre for World Domination is nearing completion, and I need a suitable phone to discuss weighty matters with the presidents of Russia and the US.

Powerful people did not need a dial on their 'phone, they had someone behind the scenes to set up their call, and nothing so frivolous as a coloured 'phone either.
I would suggest a 332CB.

 

[Profpointy]

My International Centre for World Domination is nearing completion, and I need a suitable phone to discuss weighty matters with the presidents of Russia and the US. A red type 746 would do, but it has to be heavy and clunky. So many of the contemporary knock-offs are reported to be disappointingly lightweight, and there is nothing worse than having to use two hands to stop them wandering away when dialling. If anybody has a recommendation, I would be really grateful to hear it. Thank you.
View attachment 133389

"Perrin here, on red"

 

[Surlydave]

My International Centre for World Domination is nearing completion, and I need a suitable phone to discuss weighty matters with the presidents of Russia and the US. A red type 746 would do, but it has to be heavy and clunky. So many of the contemporary knock-offs are reported to be disappointingly lightweight, and there is nothing worse than having to use two hands to stop them wandering away when dialling. If anybody has a recommendation, I would be really grateful to hear it. Thank you.
View attachment 133389

Hi, I have a gpo 322 which preceeded the 746. I am on bt & provided the phone has been converted it will run on a modern system. The sy

My International Centre for World Domination is nearing completion, and I need a suitable phone to discuss weighty matters with the presidents of Russia and the US. A red type 746 would do, but it has to be heavy and clunky. So many of the contemporary knock-offs are reported to be disappointingly lightweight, and there is nothing worse than having to use two hands to stop them wandering away when dialling. If anybody has a recommendation, I would be really grateful to hear it. Thank you.
View attachment 133389

Hi, I have a white bakelite 332 which proceeded the 746. Provided your phone system uses pulse dailing (bt does) and the phone has been converted then you can make and receive calls. It would be advisable to have a modern phone/mobile for any calls involving hash or press 1 for options etc.
There are plenty available on eBay.
Cheers.

 

[Crackle]

You still building this world domination centre. You are aptly named.

 

[byegad]

I'll keep wearing the Tinfoil hat and not talk to Presidents, Flying Spaghetti Monsters or the Chief Lizard.

 

[slowmotion]

You still building this world domination centre. You are aptly named.

With the dead certainty of ultimate World Domination, I see no need to rush.

 

[Paul139]

Obviously depends where you live but I know there's a bloke on a stall in Covent Garden that sells them I believe they are originals.

 

[slowmotion]

Obviously depends where you live but I know there's a bloke on a stall in Covent Garden that sells them I believe they are originals.

That's a good lead. I'm only five miles from there. You wouldn't have any further details, would you? Thanks.