Japanese Field Telephone

[Bobby]

I got to see what I believe is a Japanese Type 92 field telephone for the first time. Pictures attached. I am not familiar with this militaria and could not find a sticky artlicle by Nick in his master reference list. A few questions:

1. Is this a WWII or pre-WWII manufactured item?
2. Does it look complete, at least from the pictures?
3. I believe that the bottom opens up. I did not try to do that. How is the bottom portion opened?
4. I did some checking of pictures of other Japanese field telephones and found some with leather carrying cases. Was a leather carrying case supplied with these telephones?
5. Do these telephones have collector interest? It is out of the mainstream of my typical interests.

Thanks for any feedback.

[RussM]

Looks in great condition! Don't know anything about these but someone will. Is the opening on the side for a crank handle? Is there one included?

[Bobby]

No crank included Russ. I was wondering about the opening on the side, too.

[ghp95134]

Dated November 1939

昭和十四年十一月
Showa 14th year [1939], November

日本電気株式会社
Nippon Denki Co., LTD
Today known as NEC

Ya have to read from right to left:


-- Guy

[Nick Komiya]

I wrote a lot about German Panzer radio systems, but have no interest in field telephones, German nor IJA, so you won't find me writing about them.

The hole with the teardrop-shaped sliding lid on the side is where the hand crank should be inserted. Missing that handle is a big drawback.

The black button on the bottom edge of the rear side is the morse key. The side panel would tilt out to allow battery replacement and access to the spare parts compartment.

The whole thing came in a leather case like shown below.

[Nick Komiya]

Here's how to hook up the two batteries.

[Bobby]

Thank you Guy and Nick for the feedback on the telephone. Not something in my typical area of interest and with the handle and leather carrying case missing I'll take a pass on it.