This pair of 1958 Western Electric clear 500 telephones documents an interesting Bell System field-trial example. Both sets carry field-trial number F-53115 and are dated June 1958.

The telephone on the left, when viewed from the front, has body mould number 23G, while the one on the right has mould number 24G. These clear telephones were used as store display samples, making them an interesting part of the history of telephone merchandising and design.

The pair is preserved in the Old Telephone Room’s personal collection of historic telephones and telecommunications equipment.

“Both telephones are dated June 1958; body moulds 23G and 24G.”