atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Newbee looking to ID something

One thing I find interesting about the panel is that the buttons are recessed into the compartment. That's a design I'd expect to find in something where you want to make sure they don't get hit accidently.

Is the panel currently in use? If so, for what? (You mentioned wanting to find a source for the buttons.)

One thing I find interesting about the panel is that the buttons are recessed into the compartment. That's a design I'd expect to find in something where you want to make sure they don't get hit accidently.

Ummm, no. That is the design of whatever the salvaged buttons were used on. The buttons are much older than this piece of equipment and probably looked much different in their original use.

V194, you don't say what your interest is in this button assembly. Do you need it for a new piece of equipment or replacement?

-Hal

Ummm, no. That is the design of whatever the salvaged buttons were used on. The buttons are much older than this piece of equipment and probably looked much different in their original use.
Right.
My interest is that I am trying to replicate the item. Finding the original parts will make that easier plus there is some interest to find out what was originally used to create this.

Unfortunately I think this assembly is at least 50 years old. You won't find much of this today since something like this would be microprocessor controlled through a membrane touch pad or similar.

Still I too would be interested in what that was originally used on. If you do strike out you might try Switchcraft and some of the few other manufacturers that still make these things. They can produce customs if the quantity is there and you can justify the cost.

-Hal

If you think some or all of the buttons may be from old avionics, as suggested in earlier posts, you may want to inquire on aviation boards. There might be some older pilots (or even younger ones who work in aviation museums), there who might recognize the parts.

I didn't see an appropriate public forum on landings.com or AOPA.org, but you could try posting an inquiry here:
https://www.partsbase.com/public/PublicMessageBoard/MsgBoardPublic.asp

For those who have asked.
The part was created in 1966 but it was created from parts of unknown age so this stuff could be WWII era.
The photo you see is of a Hollywood Prop created to be used on film. As you may know prop makers used anything and everything at their disposal to create their props. Many TV related props have to look good 20 feet away for 20 seconds on film and most were never functional in any way.
The item above was installed in a vehicle. I own the vehicle but the part was pilfered years ago and only a few original parts of the photo item are still around. I have all of the lights, chicken head knobs but I'm missing the buttons, black, green, and white. Some parts ont he car were from old IMTS phone equipment.
Like I said I saw one button that said operator, So naturally I thought of telephone equipment. And the buttons looked a lot like push buttons on a desk phone so again I thought telephone equipment. Either way I have been looking at elevator consoles, telephones, military equipment on Ebay and the net and have come up dry. Ive been at it for several years now but just started trying contacting experts in the areas that the part might be associated with. Gadget and tech type guys tend to have experience an several different areas so I was hoping for someone who might have spotted these parts either in communications or military fields.

Well, I guess the good part is it really doesn't have to do anything.

-Hal

Mac, see if you can get Ed to take a look.
My 2 cents worth, reminds me of some buttons I saw (and used) on patch panels @ Thule AFB, Greenland, 40 looonnnggg years ago. As I recall, some of them were actualy twist switches. And Western Union had some that looked like that in the switching aisles in KC, MO.

John C.

That would be great! Any help is welcome!

Is there anything printed by the knob?