Telephone handset, Japanese midget submarine Accession Number: AWM2021.929.1

Description

Aluminium-bodied, grey painted telephone handset with a housing at each end capped with a nickel plated steel surround, enclosing a Bakelite earpiece and mouthpiece. The upper steel surround includes two horizontal projections for suspending the handset from a cradle. About 340 mm remains of the telephone's wiring. The middle of the handset is covered with a black leather grip.

Contextual Description

Imperial Japanese Naval handset removed from the Japanese midget submarine Ha-21 by civilian salvage worker Albert "Mick" Harper at Cockatoo island after it was raised from the floor of Sydney Harbour at a depth of 18 metres.

This handset would have been used by the crew of the midget submarine when it was cradled on the deck of its mother submarine, to communicate with the crew of the later submarine.

Details

Accession Number
AWM2021.929.1
Maker
Unknown
Classification
Technology
Object Type
Communications equipment
Physical Description
Material: Aluminium
Material: Bakelite
Material: Leather
Material: Nickel-plated steel
Material: Rubber
Measurement
Overall: 620 mm height (including wiring connection) x 75 mm width x 60 mm depth
Date Made
c 1940
Place Made
Gallery location
Anzac Hall, Sydney Harbour Under Attack
Whole/Part
Whole
Item Count
1
Copyright
Copyright not applicable

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Record information

Last modified: 29 July 2026 - 7.14 am