'The infamous radioactive glowing dial'
.... Properly referred to as the 'BetaLite', Used a thin glass tube, lined with a green phosphor, and containing a tiny amount of Tritium. Sadly, none of them still glow, as the phosphors have long become exhausted. The Tritium will still be going strong. Beta radiation is not particularly harmful, unless you inhale the gas. I still have a few Trimphones (and a BetaLite tube), which emit a just detectable glow in a darkened room.. (where I spend most of my time, of course!!).. ;-)
Get yourself a 'Compact' if you can.... Of the 'common' telephones, they were the rarest. Needs a separate bellset, btw....
With reference to the 'weightiness' of these old instruments, they certainly were well engineered, but the handsets of the 200 and 300 Series are particularly heavy because they contain a lead weight to ensure disconnection when replaced on the instrument.
Have fun!!
Dave T
