The telegraphic communications in the German army was established in the 1830’s and by 1899 had added telephony and become a separate branch. Telephones had been added in the early 1880’s and by the time the First World War started, they were the primary source of communication for the field army. As the war progressed various models were introduced, including civilian patterns, which the army was to adopt. Presented here are the three main patterns of handsets for those devices. In 1914 the Armeefernsprecher a.A. (alter Art) was in use. It had an aluminum frame, rounded handle and a pressed felt pad covering the listening disk. Early versions had a hard leather speaking cup, which was transitioned to a steel version. It was used in conjunction with the Feldfernsprecher a.A. (telephone box) and the Armeesprechbatterie a.A. (battery box). This handset had a black leather carrying case with over the shoulder strap.
Armee Feldfernsprecher
Eiserer Feldfernsprecher
Photos courtesy of Dr. Michael Boegershausen. Armee Feldfernsprecher.
Armeefernsprecher a.A.
Eisener Kopfhörer
Stowed Eiserner Feldfernsprecher.
Three types of listening covers, felt, wood and padded leather. Courtesy Dr. Michael Boegershausen.
Eisener Kopffernhörer with head strap.
Grosser and Kleiner Fernsprecher 17 with Handapparat 17.
Streckenfernsprecher. This is the civilian model adopt by the army. It was still being manufactured as late as 1939 for government use.
Types of heads (listening) of the Streckenfernsprecher, from the left, painted steel and two versions in chrome plated steel.
Streckenfernsprecher. Photo courtesy of Dr. Micheal Boegershausen.
Cases for the Kopffernhörer. They came in black leather, brown leather, gray painted steel and paper cloth versions.
Ruftrompete a.A.
Stowed Kopffernhörer and Ruftrompete.