The German Wehrmacht field telephone, the Feldfernsprecher 33 (FFsp33), was developed by Siemens & Halske in the early 1930s as an upgrade to the earlier Feldfernsprecher 26. Compared to its predecessor, the FFsp33 is a more streamlined and utilitarian design. It operates exclusively in Local Battery (LB) mode and lacks an internal buzzer. Compatibility with Central Battery (CB) and dial networks can be achieved with additional external components.
Between 1933 and 1945, over 1.6 million units of the FFsp33 were produced by more than 20 different manufacturers. The unit pictured here was produced by Ferdinand Schuchhardt AG in 1937 and features the original electrical configuration (used until 1939) as well as a light alloy body, a material choice later replaced with steel in subsequent models.
The bakelite battery cup can be removed for easy cleaning in case of battery leaking.
Ready for use
Disassembled
Crank and light alloy body marked Ferdinand Schuchhardt,1937
Handset marked Ferdinand Schuchhardt,1937. Acceptance mark
Line connectors, Headset socket, Test button, Acceptance mark, Crank storage notch, red marked captive screws
Body with bakelite battery cup and lids mounted (held by bracket on the right). Lids have mesh covered openings to let bell sound through.
Body top, battery lid on the left, on the right storage cup for handset transmit side
Patch sockets on the left of the ringer. Coil on top of generator (red). Generator stamped with acceptance mark and labeled with Ferdinand Schuchhardt logo
Capacitor between generator and ringer. Top middle test button contacts and handset plug contacts.
Bakelite box open and empty. The cable opening on the left has rubber gaskets. The closed box is rainproof but not watertight.
Electrical diagram, FFsp33 type pre 1939 with transmitter - battery circuit connected to main circuit and receiver circuit separated by coil.
Wiring diagram
Spelling alphabet (pre 1939 version)
RX and TX elements. Standard PTT size but FFsp33 specific types. The green cross on the transmitter indicates type for post 1939 FFsp33 electrical setup (= wrong type for this instrument, working but not ideal), WaA acceptance mark: 7 (for signal equipment department) 41 (assuming year 41) on TX element
RX and TX elements. Standard PTT size but FFsp33 specific types. The green cross on the transmitter indicates type for post 1939 FFsp33 electrical setup (= wrong type for this instrument, working but not ideal), WaA acceptance mark: 7 (for signal equipment department) 41 (assuming year 41) on TX element
Feldelement type Baumuster d (T30). Made in week 5 of 1945 by rvx (unknown disguised manufacturer label)
All stowed for storage or transport
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