[ARC5] T-17 Metal 1942 or Plastic 1944 for 1949 GRC-9?

[Don Merz]

The metal 1942 one I have has a pattern of just 3 pin-sized holes. Hard to see how that helps much. It was made by WE. The black plastic 1944 T-17-B version has seven much larger holes at the mouthpiece. 
I also have 3 more of these in bad shape. Two metal ones are dated 1935 (!) and 1939, MFR not identified. They I have a 1944-issue T-17-D version in olive drab plastic. 
The metal ones ALL have the 3 tiny pin holes in the mouthpiece regardless of date. Both plastic ones have the 7 larger mouthpiece holes.
73 Don merz N3RHT


      From: WA5CAB--- via ARC5 <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
 To: arc5 at mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 4:39 PM
 Subject: Re: [ARC5] T-17 Metal 1942 or Plastic 1944 for 1949 GRC-9?
   
There were at least seven models produced (base through -F, although I have never had a -C) and by multiple contractors.  So it's unknown how many different parts may be encountered.  They are found with aluminum bodies in plain anodize and black wrinkle, and in gray and black plastic.  The earliest (but one) that I have or have had were ordered in FY 41, probably July of 1940.  I have one with a note scratched on it saying it was pulled from a crash site in the 1930's (I forget the exact date) and an -F on a FY 1954 Order.  Most of them have the Signal Corps Order Number cast or molded into the handle.

Robert Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480

In a message dated 09/13/2016 14:42:28 PM Central Daylight Time, 1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com writes: 

    I must admit that I never knew before that there were two versions 
of this familiar microphone.  I can understand that as metal become more 
precious designs to conserve it became more common. For instance the 
notorious celluloid labels on Lionel J-36 keys. My one and only T-17 
barely works. Noisy and the cord has rotted badly.  I opened it recently 
to see if I could repair it and decided just to leave it as an artifact. 
  I have an RS-38A carbon mic which is mint and works like new. I 
suppose mostly a difference in storage but I have no idea of the actual 
age or provenance of either one.  I can't even remember where I bought 
them now although it was undoubtedly in some local surplus store. My 
T-17 was built by Shure. I don't have it handy so can't look for a 
contract number on it. I think its a metal case version. I will look 
later and post something.
     I also recommend keeping both.




______________________________________________________________
ARC5 mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/arc5
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:ARC5 at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

   
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/arc5/attachments/20160914/02dc4f7f/attachment.html>