F-53397A "Slimphone" Prototype 

A very, very cool and unusual Bell System limited production model F-53397A "Slimphone." This phone was used in field trials in 1960, but for some reason never actually made and used within the Bell System network. The design is very contemporary for the time, and even has a light bulb inside for a lighted dial, no doubt taken directly from the Princess Phone. The mounting plate and cradle are heavy cast metal finished with chrome. The plastic cover is a softer plastic than what other production phones were using at the time, which I found unusual. Instead of a bell, this phone has the experimental sounder, which I have not been able to test yet. 

I do not see why the Bell System would not end up releasing this design for production. It has a refined elegance to it, and it is pleasing to look at but not too commanding or overly loud. This particular phone is still obviously a pre-production model, as the plastic case is a bit flimsy and the light bulb cover is awkward to look at. But I look forward to fixing it up and hanging it on my wall.

This phone was found in a basement of a Maplewood, NJ estate sale, where a number of former AT&T and NJ Bell employees used to live, given by the number of Bell System artifacts I have found in that area.