My Telegraph Collection (#1-#17)

 Rob L. Dey  KA2BEO  1/97


Telegraph Key #1

Model: Triumph
Serial: n/a
Date: Late 1800's to early 1900's (1880)
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: J.H. Bunnell & Co., Inc.
Address: New York City, NY  U.S.A.
Designer: Jesse H. Bunnell
Contacts: 1/8" dia. silver
Frame: approx. 3"L x 2"W x 1"H brass, oval
Arm: Copper-plated
Knob: Standard, black phenolic, 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Brass
Base: None
Features: No shorting switch.
Markings(location):
Condition: Excellent
History: Used for American Landline Morse Telegraphy. This "Triumph" key emerged in 
1881, and had the first all-steel lever. It was accepted by all companies and railroads 
within one year. See Hamilton patent of 1883. Mr. Bunnell had patents on telegraph 
equipment since 1875 and possibly earlier. In 1886, "Telegrapher's Paralysis" was common 
due to high volume of message handling. Now this is called "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome".
Comments: This key was seen in a J.H. Bunnell catalog copyrighted 1900. This could be a 
"spark" version Triumph key (circa 1915-16) for use after 1896 on spark-gap transmitters.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key #2

Model: Menominee
Serial: n/a
Date: Early 1900's
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: Signal Electric Co.
Address: Menominee, MI  U.S.A.
Designer: n/a
Contacts: 1/16" dia. platinum
Frame: approx. 2-7/8"L x 2"W x 7/8"H brass, oval
Arm: Steel
Knob: Standard, black phenolic, 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Brass
Base: None
Features: Shorting switch.
Markings(location):
Condition: Good
History: Used for American Landline Morse Telegraphy. This company has had four 
different names that all had the Menominee, Michigan address: Menominee Electric Mfg. 
Co.(1930's), Signal Electric Co., Signal Electric Mfg. Co., Standard Electric Mfg. Co.
Comments: Style is identical to a J-38.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key #3

Model: 1A
Serial: ?9?32?
Date: Early 1900's
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: Western Electric for AT&T Co.
Address: n/a
Designer: n/a
Contacts: 1/8" dia. platinum
Frame: approx. 3"L x 2"W x 1"H brass, oval
Arm: Nickel-plated steel
Knob: Standard, black phenolic, 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Brass
Base: None
Features: Shorting switch.
Markings(location):
Condition: Good
History: Used for American Landline Morse Telegraphy. Style is similar to the Triumph.
Comments: Style is similar to a J-38. This could be a "spark" version key (circa 1915-16) 
for use after 1896 on spark-gap transmitters.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key #4

Model: 6B
Serial: n/a
Date: 1940-1960
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame, Spy-sized leg key
Manufacturer: Possibly J.H. Bunnell for Western Electric for AT&T Co. (looks British)
Address: n/a
Designer: n/a
Contacts: 3/32" dia. gold-plated
Frame: approx. 1.95"L x 0.5"W x 0.55"H nickel-plated brass, rectangular
Arm: Nickel-plated brass
Knob: Small wedge, black phenolic
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass (metric)
Base: None
Features: Shorting switch, 2 screws about 0.9"L extend from bottom of frame.
Markings(location): "3"(top of knob), "6B"(top of frame)
Condition: Mint (Unused)
History: This key was thought to be used by detectives on the railroad. Actually, this key 
is one of four (Key #3) that was typically used on a commercial telephone test unit.
Comments: This key is extremely small and performs like a full-sized staight key. Overall 
size is 2.2"L x 0.8"W x 0.9"H. Every part on this tiny key has metric dimensions.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key #5

Model: J-38
Serial: n/a
Date: Early to mid 1940's (World War II)
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: American Radio & Telegraph Co.
Address: U.S.A.
Designer: U.S. Army Signal Corps.
Contacts: 1/16" dia. silver
Frame: approx. 3"L x 2"W x 1"H flat-black painted, oval
Arm: Silver-plated steel
Knob: Standard, black phenolic, 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Brass and silver-plated brass
Base: approx. 4-3/4"L x 3"W x 1/4"H black phenolic base, rectangular
Features: Shorting switch.
Markings(location): "Artec"(top of frame)
Condition: New (unused)
History: Used for American Landline Morse and International (Continental, Universal) 
Wireless Morse Telegraphy.
Comments: This is the most popular straight key in Amateur Radio today.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key #6

Model: J-45 (J-37 with KY-116/U leg clamp)
Serial: n/a
Date: Early to mid 1940's (World War II)
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame mounted on a leg clamp
Manufacturer: R
Address: U.S.A.
Designer: U.S. Army Signal Corps.
Contacts: 5/32" dia. silver
Frame: approx. 3"L x 2"W x 1"H black phenolic, oval
Arm: Nickel-plated steel
Knob: Standard, black phenolic, 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Brass and silver-plated brass
Base: approx. 3-1/2"L x 2"W x 1/16"Thk black-painted steel with hinged leg clamp 
approx. 5-1/4"L x 1-1/2"W x 1/16"Thk
Features: Cable clamp on right side of base. Black-painted steel leg clamp that folds up.
Markings(location): "J-37" and "R"(top of frame), "KY-116/U"(side of leg clamp)
Condition: Good
History: Used for International (Continental, Universal) Wireless Morse Telegraphy.
Comments: Excellent for portable or mobile telegraphy.
Cleaning: Needed

Telegraph Key #7

Model: Original Speed-X #114-320 (Heavy-duty)
Serial: n/a
Date: 1950's
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: E.F. Johnson Co.
Address: 224 2nd Ave. SW, Waseca, MN  U.S.A.
Designer: Les Logan (sold design to E.F. Johnson Co. 1945-1949)
Contacts: 1/4" dia. silver
Frame: approx. 3-1/2"L x 2-1/8"W x 1-1/2"H black wrinkle-enamalled alloy(pot metal), 
rectangular
Arm: Nickel-plated brass
Knob: Navy, black phenolic
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: None
Features: No shorting switch.
Markings(location):
Condition: Fair
History: Similar to the later Nye Viking Speed-X #320-001 from William M. Nye Co., 
Bellevue, WA  U.S.A. This was a very popular straight key in the 1950's.
Comments: The Nye Viking version is still available new.
Cleaning: Complete

Telegraph Key #8

Model: Nye Viking Speed-X #320-001 (formerly #114-320-001)
Serial: n/a
Date: 1995
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: William M. Nye Co.
Address: Bellevue, WA  U.S.A.
Designer: Les Logan (sold design to E.F. Johnson Co. 1945-1949)
Contacts: 1/4" dia. gold-plated silver
Frame: approx. 3-1/2"L x 2-1/8"W x 1-1/2"H black wrinkle-enamalled alloy, rectangular
Arm: Nickel-plated brass
Knob: Navy, black phenolic
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: None
Features: No shorting switch.
Markings(location):
Condition: New (unused)
History: I received a hand-written and signed letter from Bill Nye on 4/13/95, dated 
4/5/95.
Comments: Similar to the original Speed-X key listed previously.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key #9

Model: Skillman High Speed
Serial: n/a
Date: 1975-1979
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: Radio Shack (Importer and distributor)
Address: Fort Worth, TX  76102  U.S.A.
Designer: n/a
Contacts: 7/32" dia. nickel-plated
Frame: approx. 3"L x 2"W x 1"H brass-plated, oval
Arm: Nickel-plated
Knob: Standard, black plastic, 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: Hand-made and oiled, wooden
Features: Shorting switch and ball-bearing pivots.
Markings(location): "Japan"(bottom of frame)
Condition: Good
History: A very popular straight key in the 1970's. Similar to the Lafayette "Brass 
Pounder" offered in the 1950's and 60's. Also was available as Fen-Tone #F21-338, and 
Ameco #K-4. I believe the actual Japanese model number is #TK-11.
Comments: My first straight key. Very popular among Novice-class Amateur Radio 
operators.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key #10

Model: Skillman High Speed
Serial: n/a
Date: 1975-1979
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: Radio Shack (Importer and distributor)
Address: Fort Worth, TX  76102  U.S.A.
Designer: n/a
Contacts: 7/32" dia. nickel-plated
Frame: approx. 3"L x 2"W x 1"H brass-plated, oval
Arm: Nickel-plated
Knob: Standard, black plastic, 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: None
Features: Shorting switch and ball-bearing pivots.
Markings(location): "Japan"(bottom of frame)
Condition: Poor (for parts only)
History: A very popular straight key in the 1970's. Similar to the Lafayette "Brass 
Pounder" offered in the 1950's and 60's. Also was available as Fen-Tone #F21-338, and 
Ameco #K-4. I believe the actual Japanese model number is #TK-11.
Comments: Very popular among Novice-class Amateur Radio operators.
Cleaning: Needed

Telegraph Key #11

Model: Delux #70-378 (Ocean State Electronics)
Serial: n/a
Date: 1995
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: n/a
Address: Japan
Designer: n/a
Contacts: 5/32" dia. nickel-plated
Frame: approx. 3"L x 2"W x 1"H brass-plated, oval
Arm: Nickel-plated
Knob: Standard, black plastic, 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: None
Features: Shorting switch and ball-bearing pivots.
Markings(location): "Japan"(bottom of frame)
Condition: New (unused)
History: A very popular straight key in the 1970's. Similar to the Lafayette "Brass 
Pounder" offered in the 1950's and 60's. Also was available as Fen-Tone #F21-338, and 
Ameco #K-4. I believe the actual Japanese model number is #TK-11.
Comments: Very popular among Novice-class Amateur Radio operators.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key #12

Model: K-1
Serial: n/a
Date: 1995
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame (legless)
Manufacturer: Ameco Corporation (Importer and distributor)
Address: 224 East Second Street, Mineola, NY  11501  U.S.A.  (516)741-5030
Designer: n/a
Contacts: 5/32" dia. nickel-plated
Frame: approx. 1.2"L x 0.4"W x 0.6"H U-shaped, zinc-plated steel
Arm: Nickel-plated
Knob: Standard, black plastic (concave top), 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: approx. 3"L x 2"W x 1"H black plastic, rectangular
Features: Shorting switch and ball-bearing pivots.
Markings(location): "Japan" and "1"(bottom of frame)
Condition: New (unused)
History: This low-cost key has been very popular among new Radio Amateurs. The 
Ameco #K-1 is identical to the previously offered Radio Shack "Skillman Jr.". Lafayette 
and E.F. Johnson also carried this key without a name.
Comments: Bakelite style base.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key On Base (KOB) with Buzzer #13

Model: Code Practice Set #99 C 2553
Serial: n/a
Date: After 1967
Type: Straight (Hand key), Open-frame on a code-practice base
Manufacturer: Lafayette  (Importer and distributor)
Address: Japan
Designer: n/a
Contacts: 1/8" dia. nickel-plated steel
Frame: approx. 1.2"L x 0.4"W x 0.6"H U-shaped, zinc-plated steel
Arm: Nickel-plated steel
Knob: Standard, black plastic, 1-1/8" dia.
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: approx. 6.75"L x 2.75"W x 0.563"H black plastic, rectangular (8.5"L overall)
Features: D-cell battery holder, buzzer with a round, black plastic cover 0.875"H x 1.875" 
dia., and binding posts for headphones.
Markings(location): "Japan"(bottom of base), "Japan"(bottom of knob), "Phone"(top of 
base)
Condition: Good
History: This type of KOB has been around since the 1950's (at least) and was very 
popular among beginner Radio Amateurs.
Comments: Unusual for this low-cost key are its adjustable pivots.
Cleaning: Needed

Telegraph Key #14

Model: Martin Junior
Serial: #81339
Date: 1934-1935  Production: 1934-1940's
Type: Semi-automatic (Bug, Speed key), Open-frame
Manufacturer: Vibroplex Co., Inc.
Address: 825 Broadway, New York, NY  U.S.A.
Designer: Horace G. Martin
Contacts: 1/8" dia. silver
Frame: 1-piece
Arm: Nickel-plated brass
Knob: Black phenolic
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: approx. 6"L x 3"W x 7/16"H black, japanned, cast-iron, rectangular
Features: Shorting switch.
Markings(location):
Condition: Fair
History: Last patent #1,260,008.
Comments: L-style damper.
Cleaning: Needed

Telegraph Key #15

Model: Original
Serial: #98817
Date: 1935-1939  Production: 1904-present
Type: Semi-automatic (Bug, Speed key), Open-frame
Manufacturer: Vibroplex Co., Inc.
Address: 796 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY  U.S.A.
Designer: Horace G. Martin
Contacts: 1/8" dia. silver
Frame: 1-piece
Arm: Nickel-plated brass
Knob: Black phenolic
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: approx. 6-1/4"L x 3-1/2"W x 1/2"H black, japanned, cast-iron, rectangular
Features: No shorting switch.
Markings(location):
Condition: Fair
History: Last patent #1,445,226.
Comments: L-style damper.
Cleaning: Needed

Telegraph Key #16

Model: Original
Serial: n/a
Date: 1940-1959  Production: 1904-present
Type: Semi-automatic (Bug, Speed key), Open-frame
Manufacturer: Vibroplex Co., Inc.
Address: New York, U.S.A.
Designer: Horace G. Martin
Contacts: 3/16" dia. silver
Frame: 1-piece
Arm: Nickel-plated brass
Knob: Black phenolic
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: approx. 6-1/4"L x 3-1/2"W x 1/2"H black, crinkle-enamalled, cast-iron, rectangular
Features: Shorting switch.
Markings(location):
Condition: Good
History: Supposedly, this bug was used for Railroad Telegraphy in Pennsylvania.
Comments: L-style damper. Missing name plate.
Cleaning: Satisfactory

Telegraph Key #17

Model: Champion
Serial: #263488
Date: 1960-1978  Production: 1939-1979 (stocked until 1988)
Type: Semi-automatic (Bug, Speed key), Open-frame
Manufacturer: Vibroplex Co., Inc.
Address: 833 Broadway, New York, NY  U.S.A.
Designer: Horace G. Martin
Contacts: 3/16" dia. silver
Frame: 3-piece
Arm: Nickel-plated brass
Knob: Black phenolic
Hardware: Nickel-plated brass
Base: approx. 6-1/4"L x 3-1/2"W x 1/2"H grey, crinkle-enamalled, cast-iron, rectangular
Features: No shorting switch.
Markings(location):
Condition: Excellent
History: This key was not advertised in the 1963 ARRL Handbook with the other bugs.
Comments: I-style damper.
Cleaning: Satisfactory