Deutsche Reichspost W28 model desktop rotary phone

The telephone was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1990. 

Deutsche Reichspost W28 model desktop rotary phone 

overall: Height: 6.125 inches (15.558 cm) | Width: 5.750 inches (14.605 cm) | Depth: 6.250 inches (15.875 cm) 

Siemens and Halske W28 model rotary dial telephone commissioned by the Deutsche Reichspost [German Post Office) as its standard issue model from 1928. In the mid-1930s, the Reichspost commissioned a new model seeking a more economical and reliable device. They passed on the model produced in 1936. The W38 model was adopted but not introduced on a large scale until 1940. Some parts, such as the bell, were made of different materials due to war economies. The W38 was sturdier and introduced a dialing pause to make connections more consistent. 

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Black Bakelite rotary phone with a sloped body centered on a square, black painted, pressed steel base with rounded corners and a flat metal window nailed to the front. Bolted to the front center body is a rotating disk with a flat, tapered silver colored metal finger stop on the bottom right. Raised metal letters, A – K, are arranged counterclockwise around the center, each aligned with 1 of 10 circular holes around the edge. Below each hole, a black number, 1 - 9 or 0, is painted inside a thin circle on a flat, white enameled metal dial, beginning on the right and moving counterclockwise. At the top back, is a diecast Zamak forked cradle or hook switch for the 9.500 inch long molded handset with rounded ends. A perforated disk is set into the earpiece and a slotted dome is set into the mouthpiece, which is connected to the left base by a 72.250 inch long, offwhite plastic coated cord. A similar, 75.500 inch long cord extends from the back. A flat metal panel with 4 circular, hard rubber feet is screwed to the bottom.