Last time I dropped a photo comparing the FF33, the FF54 and the Czech TP25 interconnection cables. I decided to write a bit more about the topic, and share it with you; here it goes:
0. FF26 cable, the predecessor of the FF33
Practically identical to the FF33 cable, minor differences only:
Under the bakelite grip is the maker info:
V.Sa.Stp. 22a Din SH - "V" is for Vermittlung, "St"=Stecker, the logo is the well known Siemens&Halske.
If you have the chance to buy one, do not hesitate: it will be perfect with an FF33 (and even authentic!).
1. FF33 cable
The cable was a standard part of the Feldfernsprecher33, put in the thin compartment near the battery case (I would say in 95% it is not present nowadays):
Let's see the parameters first:
Here is the plug dismounted (note the thin bakelite ring on the fixing screw part!):
The wire connecting to the Lb terminal is completly covering the La one:
On the opposite side is the maker mark, let's see two of them:
One is from Richard Bosse &Co, the other from Ferdinand Schuchhardt (1939), well known FF33 and other line communication equipment makers.
Maybe the most important thing to remember is the very unique "pagoda-like" ending of the plug, without ANY curved lines. This will be a very good parameter to distinguish it from the others:
2. FF54 cables
There are two type of cables. One is 45cm long and has a red grip (there might be some differences between makers, mostly in the grip fixing screw material):
This one is atteched into the bakelit box cover:
The parameters are:
The other one is not part of the field telephone box. It measures 90cm and has a black grip:
The parameters are:
3. Czech TP25 cable
It is a post-war model, as well as the FF54. The most significant difference is the brown cord with green stripes:
It is also part of the TP25 field telephone box:
Parameters are:
There's a guy on Germen eBay selling these cables as Wehrmacht original FF33 ones, be careful!
4. Comparison of the plugs
As you may see, the Lb parts are roughly in the same position, but the La endings far from it. Note the curved lines of the FF54 and TP25 plugs:
What happens when plugging them into the FF33 socket?
FF33 plug:
The La latch is holding in place the complete plug (due to the "pagoda-like" design and, of course the right lengths), evything fits.
FF54 plug:
Due to the incorrect length, the La latch is pushing out the plug, there will be no connection.
TP25 plug:
The situation is even worse: the plug is shorter, there's almost no Lb connection and the La latch is pushing out the plug.
I hope I could help some of you, I say good bye with a funny photo, the idea came across to try:
Take care, Volks!
Csaba
0. FF26 cable, the predecessor of the FF33
Practically identical to the FF33 cable, minor differences only:
- the cord itself is thicker
- it is longer
- the bakelite insulator rings are red/maroon
Under the bakelite grip is the maker info:
V.Sa.Stp. 22a Din SH - "V" is for Vermittlung, "St"=Stecker, the logo is the well known Siemens&Halske.
If you have the chance to buy one, do not hesitate: it will be perfect with an FF33 (and even authentic!).
- cord length, color: 90cm, brown
- grip material, color: bakelite, black
- insulator rings material, color: bakelite, maroon
- plug metal body diameter: 6,5mm
- grip fixing screw: metal
- grip strain relief ring: metal
1. FF33 cable
The cable was a standard part of the Feldfernsprecher33, put in the thin compartment near the battery case (I would say in 95% it is not present nowadays):
Let's see the parameters first:
- cord length, color: 68-70cm, brown
- grip material, color: bakelite, black
- insulator rings material, color: bakelite, black
- plug metal body diameter: 6,5mm
- grip fixing screw: metal
- grip strain relief ring: metal
Here is the plug dismounted (note the thin bakelite ring on the fixing screw part!):
The wire connecting to the Lb terminal is completly covering the La one:
On the opposite side is the maker mark, let's see two of them:
One is from Richard Bosse &Co, the other from Ferdinand Schuchhardt (1939), well known FF33 and other line communication equipment makers.
Maybe the most important thing to remember is the very unique "pagoda-like" ending of the plug, without ANY curved lines. This will be a very good parameter to distinguish it from the others:
2. FF54 cables
There are two type of cables. One is 45cm long and has a red grip (there might be some differences between makers, mostly in the grip fixing screw material):
This one is atteched into the bakelit box cover:
The parameters are:
- cord length, color: 45cm, black
- grip material, color: plastic, red
- insulator rings material, color: plastic, black
- plug metal body diameter: 5,7mm
- grip fixing screw: metal or grey plastic
- grip strain relief ring: plastic
The other one is not part of the field telephone box. It measures 90cm and has a black grip:
The parameters are:
- cord length, color: 90cm, brown
- grip material, color: plastic, black
- insulator rings material, color: plastic, black
- plug metal body diameter: 5,7mm
- grip fixing screw: metal or grey plastic
- grip strain relief ring: plastic
3. Czech TP25 cable
It is a post-war model, as well as the FF54. The most significant difference is the brown cord with green stripes:
It is also part of the TP25 field telephone box:
Parameters are:
- cord length, color: 63-65cm, brown/green
- grip material, color: plastic, black
- insulator rings material, color: plastic, black
- plug metal body diameter: 5,7mm
- grip fixing screw: white plastic
- grip strain relief ring: metal or white plastic
There's a guy on Germen eBay selling these cables as Wehrmacht original FF33 ones, be careful!
4. Comparison of the plugs
As you may see, the Lb parts are roughly in the same position, but the La endings far from it. Note the curved lines of the FF54 and TP25 plugs:
What happens when plugging them into the FF33 socket?
FF33 plug:
The La latch is holding in place the complete plug (due to the "pagoda-like" design and, of course the right lengths), evything fits.
FF54 plug:
Due to the incorrect length, the La latch is pushing out the plug, there will be no connection.
TP25 plug:
The situation is even worse: the plug is shorter, there's almost no Lb connection and the La latch is pushing out the plug.
I hope I could help some of you, I say good bye with a funny photo, the idea came across to try:
Take care, Volks!
Csaba
That's excellent csmagdo thanks for taking the trouble to put up those pictures 
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