BACKGROUND: Accurate intelligence and secure lines of communication are crucial elements to all armies in the field and during WWII each division in the German Army had an integral Signals unit. The Signals unit were usually of Battalion strength and generally consisted of a Headquarters Company, a Radio Company and a Telephone Company. The Signals personnel utilized a wide variety of radio receivers, field telephones and associated communications equipment in all theatres of operation. Besides the Signals field communications equipment all temporary and permanent offices, garrisons, barracks, depots, etc., also required secure lines of communication. The crank induction, magneto powered, OB-ZB Model 38 desk phone was developed in 1938 by the Heliowatt Elektrizitäs A.-G. firm of Berlin-Charlottenburg and became the standard issue office/garrison telephone for all branches of the German armed forces. When being transported the handset for the M38 desk phone was detachable and came with a specific carrying case.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 10 3/4" tall, 3 1/2" wide, 2 1/2" thick, brown leather, construction M38 desk phone handset case with machine stitched seams and steel fittings. The case has a fold over, top flap with a stitched on, vertical, leather closure strap to the obverse. The closure strap affixes to a stitched on, leather reinforced, pronged, steel, roller buckle situated on the front body of the case. Nicely maker marked and dated for 1940. Rare to see in the light brown!