Abstract: A gas tube arrester subassembly for use in a modular component type telephone central office protection system includes a gas tube arrester having a spacer tube with an electrode at each end. One of the electrodes is insertable into an open end of a generally cylindrical shell portion of the gas tube arrester subassembly with parts of the shell portions at the open end being swaged to form securing members to maintain the one electrode in the shell portion. The other end of the shell portion is closed with a generally rectangular slot therein. Removably mounted in the slot is a conductive U-shaped spring member such that the spring member has one leg extending along the inner surface of the closed end. Disposed between the one leg and the one electrode is a conductive disk-shaped contact member to couple the one electrode to the spring member.