U.S. Army Signal Corps Field Telephone EE‑8‑B (1944)

U.S. Army Signal Corps Field Telephone EE-8-B

Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Co. example (Order No. 7777-PHILA-44), 1944, olive drab canvas case, T-9 AP handset

Images

Complete set, front view of a U.S. Army Signal Corps EE-8-B field telephone in a green canvas case with shoulder strap — Complete set, front view. EE-8-B in green canvas case with shoulder strap, with orange marking “MWC-111-4.” Honest field wear with minimal grime after light cleaning.

Front case stenciling on the EE-8-B canvas case reading SIGNAL CORPS U.S. ARMY TELEPHONE EE-8-B — Front case stenciling and inventory marking: “SIGNAL CORPS U.S. ARMY TELEPHONE EE-8-B.” The EE-8-B typically appears in olive drab canvas, an improvement over earlier leather cases that could deteriorate in humid field conditions.

Rear of the EE-8-B canvas case showing stenciled marking M-025 — Rear of case showing stenciled marking “M-025.” Unit, property, or inventory markings like this were commonly added during service life.

Terminal panel and battery area of the EE-8-B field telephone showing REMOVE BATTERIES WHEN NOT IN USE — Terminal panel and battery area. “REMOVE BATTERIES WHEN NOT IN USE” is visible, with original wiring color coding and hardware present. The EE-8 series uses a local battery supply for voice, paired with a hand-crank magneto generator for ringing.

Original handset for the EE-8-B marked T-9 AP near the butterfly switch — Handset detail. Original handset marked "T-9 AP" near the butterfly switch.

Magneto crank pocket detail on the EE-8-B case showing the crank opening and interior hardware — Magneto crank pocket detail showing the crank opening and interior hardware in the case. This unit’s crank mechanism was cleaned of old dried grease and lightly lubricated, resulting in a smooth generator action.

Internal schematic diagram plate for the EE-8-B made by Kellogg with Order No. 7777-PHILA-44 and SC-D-8995-A reference — Internal schematic plate (Kellogg). “TELEPHONE EE-8-B SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM,” maker line, “ORDER NO. 7777-PHILA-44,” and reference “SC-D-8995-A.” The plate provides a direct identification point for this 1944 contract example.

Opposite internal wiring diagram plate for the EE-8-B showing apparatus legend and note MAY BE ON -38-A — Opposite internal diagram plate (wiring diagram). “TELEPHONE EE-8-B (WIRING DIAGRAM)” with apparatus legend and printed note “*MAY BE ON -38-A.” Both internal plates carry the reference “SC-D-8995-A.”

Close-up detail of the Kellogg schematic plate area showing maker line and order number — Close-up detail of the Kellogg schematic plate area showing the maker line and the contract marking “ORDER NO. 7777-PHILA-44.”

Transmitter element rear markings showing F1 141914 W.E. Co. with orange ink notations — Transmitter element, rear markings. “F1 141914 W.E. Co.” with additional orange-ink notations “=D,” “2/42,” and “1628810.” These inspection or service marks were recorded as found.

Specifications

General Information
Country	United States
Branch	U.S. Army Signal Corps
Item Type	Portable field telephone (local battery, two-wire)
Model / Designation	Telephone EE-8-B
Manufacturer	Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Co.
Contract / Order	Order No. 7777-PHILA-44 (Signal Corps procurement, 1944)
Case	Olive drab canvas carrying case with shoulder strap
Handset	T-9 AP handset with original rubber cord and original ends (color coding faded)
Internal References	SC-D-8995-A (appears on both internal plates)
Observed Case Markings	Front stencil: “SIGNAL CORPS U.S. ARMY TELEPHONE EE-8-B”; orange marking: “MWC-111-4”; rear stencil: “M-025”
Technical Characteristics
Power	2 × 1.5V dry cells in series (3V local battery), used for voice transmission
Signaling	Hand-crank magneto generator for ringing, with internal bell for incoming signal
Line	Two-wire field line, point-to-point or through field switchboards
LB / CB	Local battery and common battery selection via the terminal screws, using the arrow markings near the CB/LB area
Service Notes	Remove batteries for storage. Avoid over-cleaning stenciling and ink markings.

Overview

This is an original U.S. Army Signal Corps EE-8-B field telephone housed in its green canvas carrying case with shoulder strap and matching handset. The internal schematic plate identifies Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Co. and is marked “ORDER NO. 7777-PHILA-44,” indicating 1944-era production. The set remains complete and original to inspection, including the T-9 AP handset, original rubber handset cord with faded color-coded ends, and original internal components.

No restoration was performed. The phone was lightly cleaned and serviced for function, with careful attention to preserving original stenciling, ink markings, and hardware.

Condition and Light Service

Overall appearance: worn and used, but clean with very little embedded grime.
Canvas case: remains pliable and soft to the touch.
Metal and hardware: very little corrosion or rust observed.
Magneto crank: old dried grease removed, gears cleaned, and lightly lubricated with CLP. No parts replaced.
Exterior surfaces: wiped with a lightly dampened microfiber cloth.

After service, the generator action is smooth and quiet. The unit was tested phone-to-phone over field wire and functioned correctly for voice and ringing.

Historical Context

The EE-8 series served as a rugged wired communications tool for U.S. forces during World War II and beyond. Field telephones were valued for reliability and security, since a simple two-wire line avoided many of the range, battery, and interception problems that could affect portable radios. The EE-8-B represents a practical refinement of the family, including the widespread use of an olive drab canvas case for improved durability in wet or humid environments.

Collector Notes and Care

Originality highlights: Kellogg 1944 internal plate, intact T-9 AP handset, original rubber cord with original ends, and legible case stenciling.
LB/CB note: LB/CB selection is done by rotating the two terminal screws in the directions of the arrows. The plate functions as a line interrupter or tapping key for signaling.
Storage: Remove batteries for long-term storage and keep the canvas dry and ventilated.

Provenance

U.S. Army Signal Corps field telephone, model EE-8-B
Manufacturer identification: Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Co.
Contract marking: Order No. 7777-PHILA-44 (1944)
Case markings recorded: “MWC-111-4” (front), “M-025” (rear)
Tested functional on field wire after light cleaning and lubrication, with no parts replaced
Preserved and documented as part of the Relics & Rifles research archive

Sources

Editorial Note

These pages are presented for historical and collector-reference purposes. Relics & Rifles does not sell artifacts or facilitate transactions. Any discussion of configuration, markings, or accessories is descriptive and intended to preserve context for research.

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