This is a World War I USN Diving Telephone in original ash wood box in outstanding condition, with original manufacturers plaque UNITED STATES NAVY DIVING TELEPHONE MANUFACTURED BY A. SCHRADER’S SON INC. BROOKLYN, N.Y. U.S.A. No TB 316 DATE JULY 19, 1918. The TB stands for Telephone Box number 316. The box is in two sections with a hinged top as seen. The back section contained the batteries, which are long gone, and was screwed down. The front section was for the operator’s transmitter and receiver, which are also gone to history, and was hinged to open. At some time in its 107-year life the exterior was clear varnished to preserve its finish. Probably very early on as there is minimal wear to the box. It was introduced to navy divers along with the US Navy Mark V helmet in the 1916 USN Diving Manual. It is shown as Plate XIX on page 40. The box comes with a USN lock and key from Corbin Cabinet Lock Company, New Britain, CONN, USA. Patent 1,849,775. Serial number F 417 stamped in the base. By WWII these telephones were being replaced in favor of the small metal-boxed Batteryless U.S. Navy Standard Amplified Deep Sea Diving Telephone and the larger metal-cased Guided Radio Corp, with the speaker on top. Most were probably scrapped as technically obsolete and those that survived do not come to market often.

These wood telephone boxes rarely turn up, especially in this complete and nice condition. The photos show a section from a Schrader catalog featuring this model along with a Mark V helmet. This is the first Schrader US Navy telephone like this we have ever handled. It is also a unique opportunity to place this rare piece next to your Mark V helmet!

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