Did plenty of button/buzzers myself; we also did a lot of them through removal of the locking pin to make spare line buttons signal keys. That was actually my preference instead of side car buttons. A lot easier too.
Then came the Melco, Teltone and Tone Commander intercoms. How could anyone resist? The rest is history.
Wow, I thought I was the oldest geezer in this bunch, but I guess you have me beat!