Recently, my dad passed along an old payphone and challenged to make it work! I come from a long line of telephone men, but personally am a novice! I'm hoping that simply getting a dial tone will be good enough.

I'm wondering if anyone out there could help me identify the model of phone I'm working with! The handset says Western Electric, and it's got an open coin slot, so I know it's reasonably old.

The case has obviously been repainted a few times and most of the distinguishing marks are gone! Any help is appreciated and will get me closer to a free dinner! THANKS!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/muddybones/sets/72157628693580865/

It may from the 190-series of instruments. I don't believe the upper-housing is original to it since the dial has a plastic finger-wheel and a coin-return button.

The F1-W markings on the handset indicate it was sold to an independent telco and is of a '40s - '50s vintage since it has a 101-type induction coil mounted inside of it. Other payphones used an external subset containing the network.
I don't know if this is specific to your set but here is a similar instrument:
https://tinyurl.com/78m8o5e

To verify whether it was originally sold to the independent trade, does the nameplate under the coin-return have just Western Electric without Bell System stamped into the plate?

Also, what are the markings on the induction coil and are you able to show a close-up of the instruction card? And, what are the markings on the upper-housing lock and key?

Since the missing coin-relay can easily be replaced, it is still a desirable piece.

After a closer look at the photos I should add that the March, 1949 manufacturing date on the 101B induction coil probably indicates it was manufactured in 1949 and the June 9, 1958 date on the stainless steel coin-chute most likely indicates it was updated for 10-cent service on that date. Others on the list may have a more precise idea.

I have been repairing payphones for years wish I could get one of those old 3 slot phones ...

should be easy to fix