Coastal Artillery Gun Telephone Box

[agate hunter]

Gun telephone information from the updated Signal Corps Manual No. 8 in 1914 (titled: Installation and Maintenance of Fire Control Systems at Seacoast Fortifications). 
And a clearer photo showing the early style wood cased gun telephone. 

 

 

 

[agate hunter]

Early style gun telephone box formerly on Battery Pratt (two 6-inch disappearing guns) emplacement no. 1 at Fort Stevens, Oregon (has been removed for safekeeping). 

Note side rails for mounting early wood cased telephone on. 
This differed from newer iron boxes that had four studs for mounting new style metal cased phones, as shown on the original example in the post.

 

[agate hunter]

Drawing of gun telephone box with new metal cased phone (called EE-75) from a 1930s Fire Control manual, and a clear photo of the new metal cased phone in gun telephone box (not sure on exact source of this image). 

 

[agate hunter]

This photo, from "The Service of  Coast Artillery" by Hines & Ward (1910), shows a gun telephone installed in an early niche on an emplacement wall, alongside a telautograph. Early large caliber (8" and up) gun batteries (built 1890s-about 1905) had niches built into them for the fire control communications instruments (telautographs and telephones). The early telephones in these niches were "portable artillery" type telephones. When they phased out of use, being replaced by simpler gun telephones, the gun telephone often went in its place. 
Then in about 1911 when the new 1910 system-wide fire control changes went into effect, an order called for all gun telephones to be placed on the left traverse wall of the emplacement (including 6" gun batteries as well). So the gun telephones were moved. 
In studying walls of coast artillery gun batteries, instruments move around often, due to changes in fire control systems, new ideas of doing things, and new technologies replacing older items,  etc. 

[Fixbayonets!]

Wow, don't think I could ask for a more comprehensive or in depth explanation!  Thanks for thaking the time for uploading all of these great photos.  When I frist bought the box I looked online but found next to nothing about it, now there will be a great reference for it here.  I noticed the photos of the box from Fort Hamilton.  Given the location of where I found my box on Long Island I cant help but imagine it may have come out of Fort Hamilton or even a better chance out of Camp Hero at Montauk.

 

Rob 

[T Ambrosini]

The whole subject of fire control equipment is fascinating.  There  was a lot of research and innovation occurring in the early 1900's, communication equipment not being an exception.  The equipment was constantly being evaluated and upgraded as time went on.  It's a fairly complex subject to digest; recommendations for upgrades and implementation did not always follow a straight line.  Funding, requirements to use/exhaust old stock, slow supply lines and unique local conditions led to a lack of black and white standardization of fielded equipment at any given time.  

[Old Marine]

This is a very interesting thread.  Thanks for sharing all this information.  

[agate hunter]

Here are some images I just took of my restored gun telephone metal case. The guts haven't been restored, just the metal case. Also shown is my EE-70 headset (missing an ear cup and the mouth horn for the transmitter though). 

 

 

 

 

[sundance]

Great item. Any idea who made the box itself? 

[agate hunter]

Good question sundance, I am not sure, I will have to look into that! 
Thanks.

[T Ambrosini]

Your phone box is looking great!

 

Tom