During World War 2, the German armed forces used single conductor field telephone wire to connect telephones and switchboards. This wire could have cloth/waxed, rubber, or plastic insulation. This single-conductor wire is rarely found, especially outside of Europe. I you can find it, it is usually in bad shape, dirty, and VERY expensive.
A few years ago, when I bought some German field telephone equipment, there were two short pieces of WW2-vintage wire attached. I now use these two pieces to attach a FF33 field phone to the “Abfr.” terminals of my small 10-line switchboard.
But what about connecting the other field telephones? What about filling wire spools for displaying my backpack wire dispenser and construction cart? There had to be a cheaper, readily-available modern alternative.
That alternative is US military surplus wire, which comes on 0.5 km spools. The wire is new, has two-conductors, and has black plastic insulation. The US two-conductor wire is about the same diameter as the WW2 German single-conductor cloth/wax insulated wire. The US surplus wire is readily available from several military surplus dealers. Prices vary widely, but a few years ago, I was able to buy new, boxed spools from one dealer for $19.95 each.
For more information about German field telephone equipment, check out my new book … https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/rotwang-manteuffel/world-war-2-german-field-telephone-equipment-a-basic-guide-for-reenactors-and-historians/paperback/product-976w9q.html?page=1&pageSize=4
WW2 German Field Telephone Equipment 