Click on photographs then click "GO BACK" to return to text.
KEYS (1001-1500), KEYS & SOUNDERS (1501-2000), SOUNDERS (2001-2500),
REGISTERS, RELAYS, & OTHER (2501-3000)
(The instruments are in approximate chronological order: Oldest first.)
* = (Items no longer owned.) ** = (Items in other collections.)
1005 THOMAS A. EDISON DUPLEX TELEGRAPH MODEL:(30KB)
This model, manufactured in Edison's laboratory consists of a
1 X 2 Ft. board (28KB) with a
set of wires on the bottom (34KB).
On this board, 3 wind-up clockwork mechanisms labeled "Terry Clock Co.
Waterbury, CT, Pat'd Dec 1, 1868 are mounted.
Each clockwork mechanism has had its escapement
removed and replaced with an air-propellor to govern its speed (47KB).
Each clockwork mechanism turns a rotating disk that
makes contact with an adjustable wiper contact (46KB).
The disk has an insulated spot that breaks
the contact at an adjustable point in its rotation (54KB).
The device was an early experimental model of a form of mechanical
time-division multiplex designed to allow 3 telegraph messages to be
sent on the same line.
1010 * K1BH's TRANSATLANTIC CABLE KEY:(32KB)
Small double (plated) lever key with ivory knobs on Gutta-Perchia
base stamped: Edouard BOUTY. Constructeur. Traded to K1BH, 1995.
1011 * VERY EARLY EUROPEAN SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH CABLE KEY:
(61KB) This is an unusual and very early cable key. Some of the
insulators are ivory. The maker is not known.
1011a * Another view of the cable key:(60KB)
1011b * Another view of the cable key:(60KB)
1011c * Another view of the cable key:(60KB)
1011d * Another view of the cable key:(60KB)
1011e * A view of the wiring under the base of the
cable key:(60KB)
1012 SIEMENS BROTHERS CABLE KEY:(29KB)
This massive cable key has its entire mechanism mounted on high
columns above the base because of the high voltages which
were often necessary in order to transmit messages through
the very long cables. It measures 6-1/4"long by 4-1/2"wide
by 5" high. The base is stamped Siemens Brothers & Co. The
unusual triangular levers are used to hold the contacts in
the closed position.
1013 DOUG PALMER'S CLASSIC GERMAN CABLE
KEY:(62KB) /A
This cable key has two of the classic German Camelback Keys
mounted side-by-side on a wooden base. It is owned by collector
Doug Palmer who has kindly allowed me to exhibit the photos. br
A href="1013a.jpg" 1013a A top view of the German Cable Key:(63KB) /A br
A href="1013b.jpg" 1013b A bottom view of the German Cable Key:(62KB) /A br>
1014 * ELLIOTT BROTHERS CABLE KEY:(20KB)
Large and massive cable key similar to 1012 with the high
voltage columns but labelled Elliott
Brothers and with brass handled shorting cams.>K5VT
1015 UNUSUAL ROCKER-TYPE BRITISH CABLE KEY:
This is a very unusual cable key that uses a rocker-type mechanism.
Pressing the left knob puts a positive voltage on the cable and pushing the
right knob puts a negative voltage on the cable. There is no maker's name on
the key but the hardware strongly suggests that it is British.
1016 * Ted Huston's CABLE DISCHARGE KEY:(14KB)
This large key was used to discharge the capacitances on
the long submarine cables in order to permit measurements.
The high columns isolate the high voltages on the mechanism from
the base. It is in the Ted Huston collection.
1019 * CABLE KEY LITERATURE SHOWING/DESCRIBING
ABOVE KEYS:(80KB)
This page shows some of the keys (shown above) which were used for
submarine telegraph signalling and testing on the Washington
to Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System.
1020 * VERY EARLY AND UNUSUAL STRAIGHT KEY:(15KB)
Heavy long oval brass base with round hole in the middle. steel lever.
Extremely unusual round brass bar under steel lever runs between left
and right upright pivot posts. Shorting lever under this bar is
stamped WESTERN ELECTRIC CO.
1025 * VERY EARLY STRAIGHT KEY: Old all-brass key has a straight 1/4X1/4
inch brass lever bent down for an early-style knob. Wooden base with
cotton-covered wires embedded in channels on the underside. The spring
has a long gentle taper like Clapp-Eastham "Boston" key which it slightly
resembles.
1026 * VERY EARLY STRAIGHT KEY & SOUNDER:(32KB)
Key like #1025 with matching sounder.
1050 BEARINGLESS ''STEINER'' KEY: (20KB)
The Steiner key is a very small key which is characterized by
having no trunnion or bearings. The lever is supported only by a spring
and knife edge. This one has a brass base which is stamped
W.E.Co. New York. Pat'd Dec.21,1880. Mounted on newer wooden base.
1054 ''RESTORED'' STEINER KEY: (17KB)
This is a small Steiner Key which has had its long legs cut off
so it could be mounted on a metal base. The key has been
chrome plated and the insulators have been replaced with white
plastic material. The shorting lever knob has been replaced with
a machined knob. I personally prefer to leave these keys in the
as-found condition with perhaps a light cleaning to remove dirt.
1054a Another
view of the ''RESTORED'' Steiner Key: (17KB)
1055 STEINER KEY: (28KB)
This is a small Steiner Key whose design is characterized
by having no trunnion and the lever supported only by a spring
and knife edge. Brass base stamped W.E.Co. New York.
Pat'd Dec.21,1880. This one has been mounted on a newer marble base.
1057 * STEINER KEY WITH UNUSUAL WESTERN ELECTRIC
SOUNDER:(15KB)
This Steiner Key was used with this very unusual Western Electric
Sounder. The key has a brass base stamped W.E.Co. New York.
Pat'd Dec.21,1880. The sounder has an unusual round anvil. I believe that
this is a transitional design between the Western Electric
rectangular frame sounders and the Western Electric all round
frame sounders.
1057a * Closer view of the Steiner Key:(11KB)
1057b * Closer view of the Round-Anvil Western Electric
Sounder:(12KB)
1062 * PRIVATE-LINE CAST-BASE KOB WITH STEINER
KEY:(35KB) This KOB has a Steiner Key and sounder cast into
it's base. Private-Line KOB's were designed to be used on
''private telegraph lines'' in homes and businesses. They were
made on cast iron bases which were often decorated with flowers
and designs to better integrate into a home or business environment.
1067 EXCEPTIONALLY UNUSUAL STEINER KEY AND STRANGE AND
COMPLEX RELAY ON WOODEN BASE, KOB:(40KB)
This instrument was probably made and used by Western Electric since they
were the most frequent users of Steiner keys. Its base was covered with mud
indicating that it was immersed in a flood at some time. Removal of some mud
revealed that the base and key were painted black while the relay was nickel
plated brass.
The Steiner key is the only one if its kind that I have ever seen. It has a
rectangular frame over the lever. This rectangular frame converts the
normally-open contacts of the Steiner key into normally-closed contacts. All
of the Steiner keys that I have seen are configured like the one on the
Private-Line KOB and other Steiner keys shown above and have normally open
contacts and no rectangular frame. I believe that the closed-circuit feature
of this Steiner key was probably found to be necessary to work with the
complex relay system to produce some sort of duplex operation.
The most unusual feature of this instrument is the extremely complex relay
mounted on its wooden base. It was probably used in some kind of duplex
circuit. Duplex circuits often employed complex relays in an attempt to send
two signals on the same line and this is certainly a very complex relay. It
has a set of single-pole double-throw contacts on top that move back and forth
when BOTH of the coils are energized simultaneously. It has another set of
single-pole double-throw contacts located toward the key that move from side
to side when one OR the other coil is activated or when there is an imbalance
in the pull exerted by the two coils. This is generally called a polar relay
configuration in that the contact remains in its last position untill pulled
over by the other coil. It is also clear that a box, probably made of wood,
was mounted on the four pins that stick up around the relay. The exposed
coils that could be easily damaged also suggest that the box was used to
protect them and perhaps to keep people from trying to adjust the
very delicate mechanism. Close views of the underside of the base show that
the wiring was changed probably several times in what must have been an
attempt to explore different circuit configurations.
1067a Another perspective view of the
instrument in as-found condition:(38KB)
1067i A closer view of the unique Steiner
Key:(36KB)
1067b A closer view of the mechanism showing the contacts
that are activated when BOTH of the coils are energized:(37KB)
1067c Another close view of the mechanism showing the
contacts that are acrivated when BOTH coils are energized:(37KB)
1067j A Close View of the contacts that activate when
BOTH coils are energized:(43KB)
1067k A Close View of the contacts of the Polar Relay that
are activated when One OR the Other coil is energized:(43KB)
1067g A Right Side View of the KOB after cleaning
the base:(406KB)
1067h A Left Side View of the KOB after
cleaning:(36KB)
1067d The wiring under the base:(38KB)
1067e Details of the wiring & markings under the
base:(38KB)
1067f Details of the markings under the
base:(38KB)
1070 * VERY UNUSUAL LEFLEY LEG KEY:(20KB)
This is a very hard to find key with an unusual shorting lever
which moves forward-and-back rather than side-to-side. Traded to K5VT.
1070a * Another view of the Lefley Key:(18KB)
1070b * Another view of the Lefley Key:(21KB)
1070c * Another view of the Lefley Key:(22KB)
1075 VERY UNUSUAL "M. BIGGS" LEG KEY: (23KB)
Very unusual early all brass design with normally-open contacts out at
far end of key armiture. Brass armiture engraved M. BIGGS. Pat Oct 20,
'86. Standard Electric Co. Louisville, KY. Brass shorting lever and
all brass legs with wing nuts.
1080 PUMP HANDLE KEY (The "Twentieth
Century Key"):(48KB)
Serial #386. All brass key with hanging wooden lever shaped like
a pump handle, mounted on very heavy cast iron base. Wooden lever is
pushed left to make contact. This key was designed to help overcome
"Telegrapher's Paralysis" which we now call "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome".
A small knob on the front of the key acts as the shorting switch.
Key stamped "Made by Foote Pierson & Co. New York. Pat Applied For."
1082 PUMP HANDLE KEY:1082 ("The Twentieth Century Key").As above.Serial #1067.
(Traded to K5VT).
1125 * MODERN SWEDISH ERICSSON-STYLE KEY:(21KB)
A modern version of the lovely Ericsson keys shown below. (This key
is the same as number 5050.)
1200 LARGE EARLY SWEDISH ERICSSON-STYLE KEY:(15KB)
This is the classic early Swedish land-line key made from the 1870s well
into the 20th Century. The key has a very long lever and a crisp 'feel'.
Operators were trained to sit in front of the operating table with their
upper arm straight down and their lower arm pointing straight ahead. Their
seat height was adjusted so their arms made a right angle with each other.
Their lower arm was thus parallel with the operating table. They were
taught to grasp the key knob firmly with thumb and forefingers and to
use ONLY up and down whole-arm movements to operate the key. You can see
the cuts in the wooden base which were used to allow the wires to come
up to the key connectors from the operating table. This is my
all-time favorite key to own and to operate on the air.
1215 SWEDISH ERICSSON-STYLE KEY: (49KB)
Very large old all-brass key on a wooden base with very long lever and
beautiful brass hardware and switch block. Made in 1880's by ERICSSON
or KUNGLIGA TELEGRAFUERKET (The Royal Telegraph Administration) at
their NYNASHAMN factory S. of Stockholm.
1217 SWEDISH ERICSSON-STYLE KEY: (49KB)
Same as above but plated brass.
1219 SWEDISH ERICSSON KEY: (45KB)
Like 1215 but smaller and perhaps older.
{1222} 5060 * {Duplicated from Wireless Keys section.}
EARLY DANISH - GREAT NORTHERN TELEGRAPH WORKS KEY:
This Danish key carries a label that reads: Great Northern Telegraph Works,
Copenhagen, Denmark. No. 77773. It is not likely that 77773 of these keys
were made since they do not show up very often. I think it is more likely
that the manufacturer started with a high serial number. The picture was sent
to me by another collector.
{1223} 5070 * {Duplicated from Wireless Keys section.}
LATER DANISH - GREAT NORTHERN TELEGRAPH WORKS KEY:
This appears to be a later version of the Danish key above. This Danish key
carries a label that reads: Great Northern Telegraph Works, Copenhagen,
Denmark. No. 13779. Since it is not likely that 13779 of these keys were made
it is more likely that the manufacturer started with a high serial number.
Circa 1960s. The picture was sent to me by another collector.
1224 * DANISH ERICSSON-STYLE KEY:(16KB)
Long 7" lever on black plastic base. Circa 1960s.
1225 FRENCH PTT KEY:(28KB)
Used in France by the Poste and Telegraph Offices. Massive all-brass
key w/straight lever mounted on well worn wooden base.
1226 FRENCH PTT KEY:(14KB)
Used in France by the Poste and Telegraph Offices. Massive all-brass
key w/straight lever mounted on wooden base.
1228 * LARGE WELLS FARGO KEY:(32KB)
Large 5" rectangular brass lever with round, skirted knob mounted
on a 2x5" wooden base. Underside stamped: NATIONAL STATE CAPITAL
BANK, Wells Fargo Agents.
1229 * SMALL WELLS FARGO KEY:(23KB)
As above with 4" lever on 2x4" wooden base.
1235 * EARLY BRITISH TELEGRAPH KEY:(34KB)
Very large all brass key on large wooden base with brass
"SEND - RECEIVE" switch.>>W2PM
1237 EARLY BRITISH TELEGRAPH KEY:(13KB)
Classic straight lever brass British land-line telegraph key
on wooden base.
1240 EARLY BRITISH "WALTERS" LAND-LINE KEY:(13KB)
The unique and unusual design of this key includes a flat spring
steel strip (Similar to that on a Steiner Key) instead of a
trunnion shaft. The contacts are enclosed in the round brass
cylinder at the middle of the key.
1242 EARLY BRITISH GPO LAND-LINE KEY:(19KB)
This lovely early key is marked PATT 1056A.
1245 ** EARLY BRITISH LAND-LINE KEY MADE BY ELLIOTT
BROTHERS:(15KB)
This lovely early brass land-line key is owned by
collector Peter Malvasi - W2PM.
1250 BRITISH DOUBLE CURRENT KEY:(28KB)
Elaborate key with complex mechanism enclosed within a circle.
Sent out a weak negative signal between dots and dashes to
depolarize very long telegraph lines & counteract the capacitance.
I have seen some examples of these keys with the 'Siemens Brothers,
London' label. This one has no label.
1251 BRITISH DOUBLE CURRENT KEY:(38KB)
This is another example of the above key. I have taken pictures
of the complex mechanism to try to clarify its design.
1252 * BRITISH DOUBLE CURRENT KEY: (28KB)
Similar to 1250 but all brass with brass cover over contacts.
Engraved: TYLER & CO., Ltd. 1923 III 1915
1255 * SPECIAL BRITISH RAILROAD TELEGRAPH KEY: (16KB)
This unusual key is built on the same metal base as a solenoid-operated
bell. It was used on the British Railroads as the bottom element of an LNWR
(London & North Western Railway) block instrument that was made ca. 1890-1925.
A few remain in use to this day.
1260 EARLY AUSTRALIAN LAND-LINE KEY:(58KB)
This is the earliest Australian land-line key. Many of the early
features of this key were carried on into later Australian key designs
such as number 1262 and finally into the modern Clipsal keys.
(number 9190).
1262 LATER AUSTRALIAN LAND-LINE KEY:(59KB)
This key shows the design influences from the early Australian key
(number 1260) and led the way to the more modern:
1270 ** INDIAN LAND LINE TELEGRAPH KEYS:
These three keys were purchased in India by collector Jack Klobuchar - W1TEC.
They include one very early and two more recent keys. The oldest key
was made by the India Electric Works Ltd. of Calcutta, India. Keys like these
are still being used on the Indian Railroads. The design appears to have been
patterned after early British keys.
1275 * EARLY FRENCH BRASS STRAP KEY:(22KB)
Unusual old multiple part all brass design marked: SOC DES TELEGRAPHES.
ATELIER C.AL. (Atelier means builder.)
1280 * EARLY BRASS STRAP KEY: (14KB)
This very small early strap key is simply a springy brass
strap with contacts and binding posts mounted on an old
wooden base.
1282 * VERY EARLY HEAVY BRASS STRAP KEY:(28KB)
This medium sized key consists of a heavy springy brass strap with
interesting upper and lower contacts and binding posts mounted on
a heavy black marble-like base.
1283 * SMALL STRAP KEY:(15KB)
This small key consists of a springy metal strap with
a set of lower contacts and binding posts mounted on
a wooden board.
1284 * SMALL STRAP KEY:(14KB)
This small key is similar to number 1283. It
consists of a springy metal strap with
a set of lower contacts and binding posts mounted on
a wooden board.
1290 EARLY SWISS / ITALIAN LAND LINE KEY:(31KB)
Heavy brass key with 1/2 X 5/16 X 4-1/2" straight lever. Adjustable
pull-down spring beyond pivot. Doorknob shaped knob. Make & Break
contacts. Huge adjusting screws. All parts and screw heads are
numbered "12". 5-7/8 X 2-13/16" wooden base with recessed wiring.
Greg Ulsamer, DL1BFE, reports that this kind of key was first made
in the 1850's by a Mechanicus by the name of Kaufman in the town of
Solothurn and later by the 'Eidgenoessische Telegraphenwerkstaette' which
was the workshop of the (governmental) Swiss Telegraph Administration.
Since many of these keys are found in Italy, it has previously
been assumed that they were Italian.
1294 EARLY STYLE SWISS / ITALIAN LAND LINE KEY:(17KB)
This medium sized brass key is typical of the early
straight-lever Swiss/Italian land line keys (See above for an explanation of
the confusion about the key's origin).
1295 * EARLY STYLE SWISS / ITALIAN LAND LINE KEY:(25KB)
This medium sized brass key has the unique automatic shorting contacts
that are typical of the early Swiss/Italian land line keys. Placing
fingers on the knob pushes a plastic plate forward and unshorts
the key readying it for transmission. Releasing the lever
automatically places it in the receive mode. Greg Ulsamer reports that
this key is called the ''Forchieri-key'' which is a family name from
the Italian portion of Switzerland.
It was first made by the workshops of the Swiss Telegraph
Administration in the 1890s and used on the American type of Closed
Circuit lines in Switzerland.
1295r * REPRODUCTION OF THE
EARLY STYLE SWISS / ITALIAN LAND LINE KEY:(25KB)
This key is a recent reproduction made in Italy in the 1990's.
1296 RECENT SWISS PRACTICE LAND LINE KEY:(28KB)
This interesting key has its contacts supported on strips of thin spring
metal. I am told that it was used by the Swiss military for practice...
but the reason for placing the contacts on springs is unclear. The most
likely explanation is that it reduces the noise of the contacts and it is
less likely to annoy or confuse nearby student operators. The maker's
name and location, E. Bischhausen, Bern is stamped on the frame under
the lever.
1298 * EARLY STYLE GERMAN LAND LINE KEY:(13KB)
This key has the classic straight lever and spring-mounted
normally-open and normally-closed lower contacts that
are uniquely found on virtually all of the early
post-camelback era German keys.
1305 LEG KEY, land line, brass with steel lever and brass shorting
switch. Base engraved W.U.Tel.Co. JHBunnell & Co, New York USA. Very
unusual bearings with adjusting screws COUNTERSUNK into cast brass
uprights. Brass wing nuts and washers.
1307 * WESTERN ELECTRIC LEG KEY:(16KB)
Unusual brass key with plated lever consisting of parallel circular
rods. Trunnion reads Pat App'd For. Shorting switch. Quite early.
Circa late 1870s to early 1880s.
1308 LEGLESS WESTERN ELECTRIC KEY:(29KB)
Parallel rods lever like 1307 above but a legless design
mounted on a wooden base.
1310 MINIATURE BRASS LEG KEY: Unusual small brass key with steel
trunnion press fit into brass lever and normally-closed contacts at far
end of key.
1320 * VICTOR PATENT LEG KEY:(13KB)
Early all brass Victor leg key characterized by knife-edge bearings on
both sides of brass lever which is stamped: Pat Dec 26th,1882.
E.S.Greeley & Co., Successors to L.G.Tillotson & Co. New York.
1325 VICTOR LEG KEY:(31KB)
This early all-brass Victor leg key is characterized by the unique
Victor patent knife-edge bearings on both sides of the brass lever
which is stamped: Pat Dec 26th,1882.
E.S.Greeley & Co., Successors to L.G.Tillotson & Co. New York.
1327 VICTOR LEGLESS KEY:(18KB)
All Nickel plated as above. Stamped: Western Electric.
1335 VERY UNUSUAL WESTERN UNION/BUNNELL LEG KEY:(13KB)
This key stamped "W.U.TEL.CO. and Bunnell has an unique additional
spring plate between the contacts that is adjusted by Phelps style
screws.
1340 MESCO LEG KEY, land line, brass with steel lever. Thick brass base
engraved "M E S C O" (Manhattan Electric Supply Co.)
1345 SIGNAL ELECTRIC CO. LEG KEY IN ORIGINAL
BOX:(28KB) This is a new Signal Electric Co. Leg Key with the original
box. The markings on the box include a place to list the 'ohms' suggesting
that the same box was used for their sounders and relays.
1350 BUNNELL LEG KEYS:(24KB)
Land line, brass with steel lever stamped "Patented Feb 15,1881".
Brass shorting switch. Base stamped JHBunnell & Co,New York
USA. Brass wing nuts.
1361 LEG KEY:(17KB)
Land line, brass with unusual thick steel lever with all edges
beveled. Brass base stamped Nat Elec Mfg Co.
1370 * UNUSUAL LEG KEY:(16KB)
This is a brass land line key with an unusual heavy brass base
and with an unususal brass rod running from left to right
under the trunnion.
1440 UNUSUAL BUNNELL SIDESWIPER MODEL 'G':(11KB)
Unique early Bunnell design in which the upright support is made of
insulating material. It looks very much like the standard Bunnell model "W"
so-called "double speed key" but has a very different design. Historian John
Casale-W2NI believes that it was named after Geohegan who worked for Bunnell
and probably invented it. Base engraved PATENTED JHBunnell & Co, New York
USA.
1441 BUNNELL "SIDESWIPER":(12KB) This is the early
Bunnell model "W" so-called "double speed key" supposedly patented in 1888 and
designed to overcome "telegrapher's paralysis" (Now known as Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome). Has the old style black insulators and a shorting switch. Base
engraved PATENTED JHBunnell & Co, New York USA. Historian John Casale-W2NI
has presented convincing evidence that this key was actually patented after
1900.
1450 * FOOTE PIERSON LEGLESS LAND LINE KEY:(13KB)
Steel armiture, Brass hardware and reddish painted cast iron base
with raised, cast-in lettering: "Postal Telegraph Company" Brass shorting
bar is engraved "Made By Foote-Pierson & Co. New York."
1451 FOOTE-PIERSON LEGLESS KEY: This looks like the Bunnell Triumph key
but shorting lever stamped FOOTE-PIERSON. Base stamped LEGLESS KEY,2-A,
W.U.TEL. CO.
1452 * LEGLESS TELEPLEX LAND LINE KEY:(6KB)
Cast iron base. No shorting switch. Mounted on bakelite base with
stick-on emblem "Manufactured by TELEPLEX, NewYork,N.Y.
1453 * LEGLESS TELEPLEX LAND LINE KEY:(21KB)
Similar to # 1452.
1454 * LEGLESS LAND LINE KEY:(9KB)
Cast Iron base and no shorting lever mounted on a wooden base. Unique
lever is made of two pieces of brass stock which have been riveted
together at the center where they cross.
1455 VERY UNUSUAL MULTIPLE CONTACT LEGLESS
LAND LINE KEY:(19KB)
This strange key has normally open and normally closed contacts
as well as multiple contacts which can be closed or opened by
moving the sorting switch lever left or right. I am looking for
more information on this key.
1456 WESTERN UNION 4B PANEL MOUNT TELEGRAPH KEY:
This key mounted on a panel. The shorting switch lever also extends through
the panel.
1457 LEGLESS LAND LINE "POLECHANGER" KEY:(22KB)
With black bakelite base engraved "1-B W.U. Tel. Co. Mfg by Speis
Electric Works, Chicago". Plated brass construction mounted on heavy
black with plated three-pole changer switch.
1458 UNPLATED BRASS POLECHANGER KEY:(20KB)
Same as 1457 but unplated brass.
1459 * POLECHANGER KEY WITH OVAL BRASS BASE:(15KB)
Similar to 1458 but key has oval brass base.
1460 BUNNELL LEGLESS LAND LINE KEY:(24KB)
Brass base engraved: "Mfg by JHBunnell, New York USA." Very early all
brass key with shorting switch and steel lever. The electrical terminals
are unusually well machined and are screwed to the brass base with fine
brass screws. Mounted on a wooden base.
1460b ** HARD-TO-FIND EARLY BUNNELL
LEGLESS TRIUMPH KEY WITH SOLID BASE:(24KB)
This key is similar to number 1460 and has the very early
elevated terminals but it also has a solid brass base.
(In the John Casale - W2NI Collection.)
1461 LEGLESS land line key: Brass base engraved:"Mfg by
JHBunnell,NewYork USA." Also, barely visible under the "hot" terminal is
engraved: "POSTAL TEL CO. This is the very early "Triumph" key design
all brass key with shorting switch, steel lever, and early style
cylindrical electrical terminals.
1463 WESTERN ELECTRIC "LEGLESS" key: This all-brass key with steel
lever looks like a Bunnell "Triumph" key made for Western Electric.
Stamped"TELEGRAPH KEY 1A, AT&T CO." on the brass base & "WESTERN
ELECTRIC" on shorting bar.
1464 WESTERN UNION "LEGLESS" KEY:(8KB)
This all-brass key with steel lever looks like a Bunnell "Triumph" key
made for Western Union. Stamped "LEGLESS KEY,W.U.Co."
1465 CHAS CORY & SON - WESTERN UNION "LEGLESS"
KEY:(20KB)This is the classic Western Union Telegraph key.
The far end is stamped: Legless Key 2A Western Union. The shorting
lever carries the stamp: CHAS CORY & SON, NY which suggests that the
key was used by the Cory Company.
1466 * EARLY BUNNELL LEGLESS KEY:(9KB)
This key has black cast oval iron base with brass hardware and a steel
lever engraved "BUNNELL". It is mounted on an old wood base with screw
contacts stamped J.H.Bunnell Co.,NewYork U.S.A.
1468 LEGLESS LAND LINE KEY: Mfg by JHBunnell but labeled Western Electric
on the shorting lever and "A T & T Telegraph Key" on the all brass
base. This is the early "Triumph" key design all brass key with a steel
lever.
1470 * LEGLESS LAND LINE KEY,
SOUNDER, & TEST SET:(26KB)
Triumph Key as above mounted on a black metal bracket with Western
Electric zero center 10-0-10 milliammeter on front of bracket and brass
Western Electric sounder & other components inside bracket. (Traded to
John Casale - W2NI.)
1473 * LEGLESS land line key Mfg by JHBunnell but labeled Western Electric
on the shorting lever and "(H) A T & T Telegraph Key" on the brass
base. This is the early "Triumph" key design brass key with steel lever,
On a white marble base.
1477 * LEGLESS land line key probably Mfg by JHBunnell, New York, USA. but
marked Manhattan Supply Co., New York on the brass base. This is the
early "Triumph" key design all brass key with tapered electrical
terminals, no shorting switch, and steel lever. This key was probably
manufactured for Manhattan Supply Co by Bunnell before they changed
their name to Manhattan Electric Supply Co.
1479 * LEGLESS land line key with shorting lever which is stamped
"Standard Electric Mfg. Co., Menominee, Mich". This key has a brass
base, shorting lever, and hardware with steel lever and shorting strap.
It is mounted on a marble base.
1480 * LEGLESS SIGNAL ELECTRIC COMPANY LAND LINE
KEY:(25KB)This is a typical steel-lever oval-based land line
key. It is mounted on a wooden base which displays the
Signal Electric Company Decal. Many of these keys were used
for training purposes.
1481 * EARLY BUNNELL STRAIGHT KEY:(20KB)
Cast iron based key mounted on newer oak base.
1482 * BRASS "MESCO" KEY:(51KB)
(Manhattan Electric Supply Company.)
1484 * J.H.BUNNELL "TRIUMPH" KEY:8KB)
Brass key with steel lever stamped BUNNELL.
1485 * STRAIGHT KEY: Black cast base with cylindrical Bunnell style
terminals and "Triumph" style steel strap to 1/8" hot contacts. No
shorting lever or ID.
1486 * UNUSUAL LEGLESS KEY: This key has a black cast iron base with
chrome plated hardware and a steel lever. The bearings are screwed into
the bearing supports and locked in place with hex nuts. They have
slotted ends to accept a screwdriver.
1487 * UNUSUAL LEGLESS KEY:(14KB)
This key has a black cast iron base and chromed hardware. The
armiture is an almost straight 3/16" square steel bar with round
steel trunions press-fit through it like the early camelbacks.
The spring rests directly on the wooden base.
1488 * UNUSUAL LEGLESS KEY:(6KB)
This key has a black cast iron base and chromed hardware. The armiture
is an almost straight 1/4" square steel bar with round steel trunions
press-fit through it like the early camelbacks. The spring rests on a
round nubbin cast into the base.
1489 UNUSUAL LEGLESS KEY:(15KB)
This key has a black cast iron base and chromed hardware. The
unusual aspect of the key is that the trunnion supports have no
adjusting screws and the trunnion is simply inserted into each side.
This key is in quite rusty condition and its unusual design
suggests that few were made.
1490 VERY UNUSUAL DELANEY PATENT KEY IN ROUND BOX
USED FOR CONVEYING MORSE CODE OVER THE TELEPHONE:(51KB)
This device consists of a J.H.BUNNELL "Triumph" key mounted inside an
extremely well made 6" diam. circular wooden box. The metal label on
the outside reads "DELANY PATENTS 1270398 1274520". There are absolutely NO
electrical connections to the key which is entirely enclosed inside the
box with the exception of the end of the lever and knob which extend out of
the side of the box. The original 1917 patent sent to me by the well-known
telegraph historian and key collector Roger Reinke shows that this key was
placed underneath a candlestick telephone and that pressing the lever made a
mechanical clicking sound against the base of the telephone which could be
heard and read as morse code by the person on the other end of the telephone
line. This seems very funny since there was already voice communication with
the person on the other end of the line. Could it have been an early attempt
at providing secure communications that could not have been listened in upon
unless the eavesdropper knew the morse code? - But then, almost everyone knew
the morse code in those days. ??
1495 TINY WESTERN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH KEY:(35KB)
These tiny keys have a nice action and are often used by telegraph
operators who need an extremely small key. The keys have metal shorting
levers and knobs numbered from 1 to 4. Originally, they all came from a
Western Electric Telegraph Line Test Set. (See 1495b below). These
test sets are of no practical use these days and most have
been discarded after the keys were removed.
1505 STEEL LEVER KEY KOB:(60KB)
Made just after the camelback era. Has no spring adjusting screw.
Cast iron base key with shorting switch engraved J.H.Bunnell & Co New
York. Arm engraved "Patented Feb 15, 1881". Mounted on wooden base
with J.H.Bunnell & Co, New York USA 20 ohm sounder.
1520 UNUSUAL PROTOTYPE/EXPERIMENTAL ALUMINUM-LEVER KEY
KOB:(10KB) This is a classic early Bunnell KOB with an unusual
ALUMINUM KEY LEVER. I believe that this lever was made by the
Bunnell Company in an attempt to study the advisability of
making Aluminum-Lever Keys. They could have thought that the
lighter-weight Aluminum might give a potentially faster action.
There is an old-style steel trunnion pin press fit into the Aluminum lever
which leads me to believe that this is an early experimental key. The
press-fit steel trunnion pin was abandonned when the all steel
lever triumph key was invented in 1881. The steel trunnion pin
was known to come loose with extended use and it would then allow
the key lever to slide left and right making the key useless.
1540 J.H.BUNNELL "COMMEMORATIVE MINIATURE SOUNDER:(12KB)
This unique and fully functional Bunnell Miniature Sounder was
presented to each of the guests at a dinner in honor of Andrew
Carnegie in 1908. The dinner was held to celebrate his "73rd"
birthday and was attended by hundreds of important people including
Thomas Edison and many members of the Civil War Military Telegraph
Corps including four members who had actually received his call for
volunteers over the telegraph lines in 1861. The dinner concluded
with the singing of "Auld Lang Sine" by Samuel Morse's Grandaughter.
1550 J.H.BUNNELL MINIATURE KEY and 1551 SOUNDER:(60KB)
This is the tiny brass Bunnell miniature key with the ring for
attaching it to a watch chain. The steel lever is stamped
J.H.Bunnell, N.Y. Oval brass base measures 1" long. These keys
are fully functional and were sold either plain or with a ring or
pin. It is mounted on a small wooden board with the #1551 sounder.
1551 J.H.BUNNELL MINIATURE KEY:(34KB) This is the
tiny Bunnell key with the ring for attaching it to a watch chain.
1552 J.H.BUNNELL MINIATURE KEY & SOUNDER:(44KB)
This is the tiny Bunnell brass miniature key and the sounder with 1-1/8 inch
long brass base mounted on a black base stamped J.H.Bunnell & CO. New York,
USA. It is fully functional.
1553 J.H.BUNNELL MINIATURE SOUNDER:(34KB) This is the
tiny Bunnell Miniature Sounder. It is fully functional and all adjustments
work.
1555 ** NEW MANUFACTURE BUNNELL MINIATURE KEY &
SOUNDER:(37KB)This miniature Bunnell KOB is being offered by
Dr. Joe Jacobs who is now the owner of the J.H.Bunnell Co.
1575 * BUNNELL "Trainmaster" PORTABLE
RESONATOR-BOXED KEY & SOUNDER:(31KB)
This unique portable telegraph set consists of a resonator box with a handle
and a brass "BUNNELL 160 OHMS" label on top, an unboxed box sounder, and
a modified Bunnell steel-lever key.
1700 WESTERN ELECTRIC-MILANO PORTABLE BOXED
REGISTER, KEY, SOUNDER, METER, BELL, SWITCHBOARD ETC:(25KB)
This is a complete ink-writing portable telegraph set consisting of
a miniature ink register with folding paper tape reels, an Italian style
telegraph key with Ivory knob, an unique sounder that rings a bell, a
plug-style switchboard, and ink well, an ink applicator, with fitted pliers
and accessories for field use.
1720 TWO CLASSIC GERMAN SIEMENS KEY-REGISTER
SETS:(28KB)These sets were the most widely used telegraph
stations in Europe. They were found in every town telegraph
office across the continent. They consist of a telegraph key, ink-writing
register, and galvanometer which measured the electrical condition of
the telegraph line. A roll of paper tape is stored in a
special drawer in the wooden base. Ink writing registers were required
because it was illegal to copy Morse Code by ear since that method
was not thought to be reliable.
1730 * BRITISH SIEMENS BROTHERS KEY-REGISTER SET
WITH UNIQUE SOUNDER-OPERATED REGISTER:(18KB)
This interesting set is typical of those used throughout Europe where
copy-by-ear using sounders was not trusted. The set is labeled: Siemens
Brothers & Co. London. No. 17022. and there is a tag on the unique
sounder mechanism which reads: A. E. Co. Ltd. A.T.M. Liverpool.
A roll of paper tape is stored in a drawer under the register.
1745 CZECH REGISTER PROBABLY MADE BY SIEMENS:
(26KB) The Siemens company of Germany made most of the registers
used in European telegraph offices.
Some of these registers were labeled with other names.
This one carries CZECH identification marks which read:
FRANTISEK, STEPANEK, & SPOL, V SPOLECNOST S.R.O, v PARDUBICCICH and the
number 195. Pardubice is a town in eastern Bohemia that was part of the
Austrian Monarchy, later a part of Czechoslovakia and now in CZECHIA (the
Czech Republic).
1747 AUSTRIAN EMBOSSING TELEGRAPH REGISTER:
(26KB) This is an early Embossing Telegraph Register made in Vienna,
Austria. It is marked: CZEIJA NISSL, WIEN, 769. Embossing registers
recorded dots and dashes on a moving paper tape by pressing a sharp point
into the tape. The sharp point 'embossed' a depression into the paper tape.
1755 BRITISH GPO KEY-SOUNDER-GALVANOMETER:(40KB)
Huge all brass key Engraved M.W.T.Co. Ltd. 372. 1915, and sounder
engraved G.P.O.16830 and Galvanometer Engraved EDISON & SWAN,
No. 18220. 1917, mounted on wooden base and fitted into wooden
box with brass handle.
1810 * ADAMS-MORGAN (AMCO) KEY & SOUNDER
ON BASE (KOB):(35KB)
This small and simple practice set was described in a book of
do-it-yourself projects. It is surprising to see one that was
commercially manufactured with the letters AMCO enclosed in a diamond
outline stamped on the base. The key and sounder are very simple but
the unusual sounder has its two coils lined up under the armiture.>>W2PM
1825 * "MOTLEY" TELEGRAPH KEY AND SOUNDER ON BASE
(KOB):(22KB)
This brass KOB carries
1830 * TELEGRAPH KEY AND SOUNDER ON BASE (KOB):(36KB)
Early brass key and sounder on wooden base Key and sounder stamped
J.H.Bunnell & Co., New York. Key stamped Patented Feb 15, 1881 on steel
lever. Sounder is old horizontal spring design. Has brass switch lever
on base.
1832 * Same as above:(40KB)
with vertical spring sounder w/aluminum armiture. No switch.
1836 VERY PRETTY BUNNELL KEY AND SOUNDER ON BASE
(KOB):(38KB)This is an unusually attractive and clean Bunnell
KOB with 20-ohm sounder.
1838 * TELEGRAPH KEY AND ''SNARE-DRUM''
SOUNDER ON BASE (KOB):(42KB)
Early brass hardware key with black cast base, steel lever and shorting
switch on a wooden base. Sounder is early "Snare-Drum" style. Base
stamped J.H.Bunnell Type 220, 35-Ohms.
1840 * TELEGRAPH KEY AND SOUNDER ON BASE (KOB): Early brass hardware key
with black cast base and steel lever and shorting switch on a wooden base.
Sounder stamped J.H.Bunnell & Co, New York U.S.A.
1860 * SKIRROW-POSTAL TEL CO KEY AND SOUNDER ON
BASE (KOB):(20KB)
Very early steel lever brass key and unique diagonal-frame
magnetic-flux-adjustable sounder on wooden base stamped
"Postal Tel Co. 150 ohm. Number 1428. SKIRROW PAT Dec. 10, 1901.
(Postal Telegraph Company owned the "Skirrow" patent which involved
the use of a rack-and-pinnion mechanism to adjust the coil-to-armiture
distance to allow the sounder to be made more or less sensitive to
the tiny currents on long telegraph lines.
1860A * SKIRROW-POSTAL KOB:(16KB) similar to 1860.
1861 * POSTAL TEL CO KEY AND SOUNDER ON BASE (KOB).(48KB)
1862 * BEEKO-LIKE LEARNER'S KOB SET:(47KB)
Interesting early set with chromed key lever without spring adjusting
screw held in bent sheet metal base. Has chromed shorting switch that
looks a little like a McElroy design. The sounder has a sheet metal
base but chromed lever and anvil. Oak base.
1863 * BEEKO SEPARATE COMPONENT KEY AND SOUNDER
SET:(18KB)
Typical key and sounder set. The key is mounted on a separate wooden
base and has a steel key lever and no spring adjusting screw. The
lever is supported by a bent sheet metal base. The sounder also has
a sheet metal base. Many thousands of these sets were produced butg
they were so toy-like that most were eventually thrown out making
it more difficult for collectors to find them.
1864 * TELEGRAPH KEY AND BEEKO SOUNDER ON BASE
(KOB):(27KB)
Early brass hardware key with black cast base and steel lever and
shorting switch on a wooden base. Sounder has very simple design with no
bearing adjustments and sheet metal frame. It is stamped J.H.Bunnell &
Co, New York U.S.A.
1865 BEEKO TELEGRAPH KEY AND SOUNDER ON BASE
(KOB):(42KB)This is the classic BEEKO practice set made by
Bunnell. Both the key and the sounder have simple sheet metal
frames making this set very inexpensive to produce and sell.
1868 * SIGNAL ELECTRIC CO. KOB SET: All-brass key with steel lever
& Signal Electric Co. style sounder with armiture simply
stamped"MENOMINEE".
1870 * TELEGRAPH KEY AND BUZZER ON BASE:(27KB)
Very early brass hardware key with steel lever mounted on a wooden base
with a very early wood encased buzzer.
1872 * TELEGRAPH KEY AND BUZZER ON BASE:(32KB)
Brass hardware, steel lever key with black cast iron base mounted on a
wooden base with a round chrome buzzer.
RESONATORS:
2030 SOUNDER IN CANDLESTICK-BASE RESONATOR:(23KB)
The resonator is mounted on a metal candlestick phone style base.
The sounder is marked MANHATTAN ELEC SUPPLY CO, NEW YORK.
2035 SOUNDER IN SWING-ARM MOUNTED RESONATOR:(20KB)
Resonator is mounted on a two section adjustable cast iron arm with
screw down base. Sounder is Bunnell.
2040 * SOUNDER IN RESONATOR. Resonator is roughly constructed on a wooden
upright base and looks home made. Sounder is Bunnell.
2050 * GEOHEGAN PATENT BUNNELL SOUNDER:(15KB)
This sounder has two special adjustments to allow its sensitivity
to be adjusted so that it could respond to weak incoming signals.
First, there is a cam which is activated by the round brass
wheel on the vertical frame and which adjusts the coil-core to
armiture spacing. Second there is a knob activated adjuster
which allows the spring tension to be adjusted very precisely.
2051 SOUNDER: * Very Large brass sounder on a wooden base. Sounder
engraved "J.H.Bunnell & Co, New York. Patent applied for".
2052 SOUNDER: * Large brass sounder on a wooden base. Sounder engraved
"Patented in U.S.A. March 6, 1917". and "J.H.Bunnell & Co, New York.
2054 * MAIN LINE SOUNDER:(19KB)
Large brass sounder on a wooden base. Sounder engraved Western
Electric. Base engraved W. U. Tel. Co. Main Line Sounder 3B(?) 20 ohms.
2056 * SOUNDER:(22KB)
This is a very old style medium size brass sounder mounted on a wooden
base stamped 20. The sounder has an interesting horizontal spring and
is engraved J.H.Bunnell & Co, New York.
2058 * SOUNDER: Medium size brass sounder on a black wood base. Base
labeled "Western Electric Company" & stamped "20 ohms" on top &12519(H)
on bottom.
2060 * SOUNDER:(20KB)
Medium size brass sounder on a black wooden base. Sounder engraved
"Western Electric". Base engraved "SOUNDER 3B 20OHMS".
2062 * SOUNDER:(19KB)
Medium size brass sounder. Wooden base.Sounder engraved "Western
Electric".Base labeled "Western Electric Company" and stamped "20
OHMS(H)"
2064 * SOUNDER: Medium size brass sounder on a wooden base. Sounder
engraved "Manhattan Electric Supply Co. New York". Base engraved "20
OHMS".
2066 * SOUNDER: Medium size brass sounder. Wooden base. Sounder engraved
"SIGNAL"
2080 * VERY UNUSUAL SOUNDER:(16KB)
The lever of this sounder is separated from the iron armiture
by an adjustable spring mechanism. The separation distance and
the spring tension can be adjusted by the knob on top
of the sounder.
2095 * VERY UNUSUAL SOUNDER MECHANISM:(16KB)
This strange sounder looks as though it was made to fit into
some larger wooden structure.
2100 UNFINISHED SOUNDER MECHANISM:(17KB)
This sounder was never assembled nor varnished. It gives us an
idea of what sounders looked like during the assembly process.
2255 * BRITISH GPO SOUNDER: Sounder like the one in the
combination set number 1755. This sounder is mounted
mounted on its own wooden base.
2520 MORSE REGISTER made by FOOTE PIERSON & Co:(45KB)
With chromed case and glass encased brass movement. Spring mechanism
starts when character is received. With roll of original paper tape.
Case stamped FOOTE PIERSON & CO. NEWARK, NJ. F-5570 F-2.
2525 * MORSE REGISTER: as above but with brass case and beveled glass-
encased brass movement. Case stamped FOOTE PIERSON & CO. 160-162 Duane
St., New York. 10243.
2550 * EARLY BUNNELL CURVED POLAR RELAY:(17KB)
Lovely flowered curved magnet polar relay on large wooden base.
(Traded to John Casale - W2NI.)
2553 * UNUSUAL EARLY BUNNELL RECTANGULAR
POLAR RELAY:(19KB)
This is an unusual rectangular box-shaped polar relay made by
J. H. Bunnell.
2555 * EARLY CURVED POLAR RELAY:(19KB)
Unique curved frame.Smallish wooden base stamped 60 ohms.>>W2PM
2557 * WESTERN UNION POLAR RELAY:(20KB)
This polar relay was used in duplex and multiplex circuits
which allowed several signals to be carried simultaneously
on the same wires.
2558 * JESTER-COOPER REPEATER RELAY:(15KB)
This repeater/relay was used in duplex and multiplex circuits
which allowed several signals to be carried simultaneously
on the same wires. The label reads: J-C Repeater System,
Patent No. 1,116,591. Ohms, 250. Type D. Serial-661. Jester
Cooper Company, Houston, Texas.
2559 * BUNNELL REPEATER RELAY:(19KB)
This repeater/relay was used in duplex and multiplex circuits
which allowed several signals to be carried simultaneously
on the same wires.
2560 * EARLY TELEGRAPH LINE RELAY OF UNUSUAL DESIGN. All brass relay with
unusually large vertical coils with large adjusting screw and odd design
on wooden base on cast iron base.
2562 * UNUSUAL REPEATER RELAY:(16KB)
This small repeater/relay was used in duplex and multiplex circuits
which allowed several signals to be carried simultaneously
on the same wires.
2565 * EARLY TELEGRAPH LINE RELAY OF UNUSUAL DESIGN. Medium size all brass
relay with curved iron armiture and string-spring tensioning. (50 Ohms).
2570 * SMALL POLAR-LIKE TELEGRAPH LINE RELAY:(23KB)
Very unusual small relay with two coils pulling on a shared armiture which
is adjustably tensioned by a spring/string. One coil can be moved toward
and away from the armiture. The wires in the wooden base are sealed in
beeswax. Old cylindrical terminals. * TRADED OUT: 1995.
2575 * TELEGRAPH RELAY:(17KB)
Unusual small brass relay on wooden base stamped "MFD by L.F.C., SIGNAL
RELAY 3-D on top and N.Y.R.S.4-29 on bottom.
2580 * TELEGRAPH RELAY:(24KB)
Large Brass relay on black bakelite and metal base which is inscribed
"RELAY TYPE SW-37".
2581 * WESTERN UNION 4-D TELEGRAPH RELAY:(18KB)
Large plated relay on black bakelite and metal base which is inscribed
''WU TEL CO. MORSE RELAY 4-D. 100 OHM.''
2582 * WESTERN UNION 22-A TELEGRAPH RELAY:(18KB)
Large plated relay on black bakelite and metal base which is inscribed
''WU 22A''
2585 * TELEGRAPH RELAY: Large Brass relay on wood and metal base which is
inscribed "Signal Electric Co. Menominee, Mich 150 ohms".
2588 LARGE BUNNELL TELEGRAPH RELAY:
Large Brass relay with very large coils mounted on wood and metal base. The
shape of the frame has led people to also refer to this as a 'spectacle relay'
since the coil supports resemble a pair of spectacles. Labeled: J.H.Bunnell
& Co. N.Y. 250 ohms.
2590 LARGE BUNNELL TELEGRAPH RELAY:(33KB)Large Brass
relay with very large coils mounted on wood and metal base. The shape
of the frame has led people to also refer to this as a 'spectacle
relay' since the coil supports resemble a pair of spectacles.
Labeled: J.H.Bunnell & Co. N.Y. 250 ohms.
2591 LARGE BUNNELL TELEGRAPH RELAY:(35KB)Similar
to above.
2592 MEDIUM SIZE BUNNELL TELEGRAPH RELAY:(33KB)
Medium-size brass relay on wood and metal base with
metal ''bowtie-shaped'' Bunnell label.
2593 SMALL BUNNELL TELEGRAPH RELAY:(19KB)
Small plated brass relay on wood and metal base with
metal ''bowtie-shaped'' Bunnell label.
2594 SMALL BUNNELL TELEGRAPH RELAY: Small plated brass
relay on wood and metal base with metal ''bowtie-shaped'' Bunnell label.
2595 * SMALL BUNNELL TELEGRAPH RELAY:(19KB)
Small Brass relay on wood and metal base which is inscribed "J H Bunnell
& Co. N.Y. 100 ohm".
2600 * SKIRROW-PATENT POSTAL TELEGRAPH CO.
RELAY:(18KB) An unusual relay with the "Skirrow" patented
rack-and-pinnion adjustment for the coil-to-armiture distance.
Postal Telegraph Co. owned this patent.
2605 SMALL PLATED MESCO TELEGRAPH RELAY:(15KB)
This is a small plated brass telegraph relay which was
made by the Manhattan Electric Supply Company (MESCO) It
is labeled under the armiture.
2607 * SMALL SIGNAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
TELEGRAPH RELAY:(15KB)
This is a small relay which was made by Signal Electric
Company. Many thousands of these relays were made and
used and they are very common.
2610 * ASSOCIATED PRESS WHEATSTONE POLAR
TELEGRAPH RELAY:(11KB)This polar relay is housed in
a cylindrical casing with a beveled glass top cover.
2630 * VERY SMALL TELEGRAPH RELAY:(15KB)
Very small mostly brass relay on grey marble base.
2640 * "SPARK"? TELEGRAPH RELAY:(22KB)
Unusual small brass relay on grey marble base with vertically mounted
coils and 3/8 inch carbon contacts. May have keyed spark transmitter.
2805 WESTERN ELECTRIC BOX SOUNDER / ROD-LEVER
KEY:(31KB)
The key on this early Western Electric combination box sounder and key has
the uniquely Western Electric designed lever made of two parallel
steel rods.
2810 * OLD BUNNELL BOX RELAY/KEY. Key is steel lever style with "patent
applied for" on shorting switch and extremely narrow lever area under
knob. This may be the first model "Triumph Key" made just before the 1881
patent was issued.
2815 * TELEGRAPH BOX RELAY/SOUNDER AND KEY:(45KB)
Old brass JH Bunnell key with steel lever and brass shorting switch
mounted on wooden base with an all wooden boxed brass combination relay
and sounder. The base has a metal label reading: 150 Ohm.J.H.Bunnell &
Co., N.Y.
2816 * TELEGRAPH BOX RELAY/SOUNDER AND KEY:(18KB)
Old brass JH Bunnell key with steel lever and brass shorting switch
mounted on wooden base with an all wooden boxed brass combination relay
and sounder. The base has a metal label reading: 150 Ohm.J.H.Bunnell &
Co., N.Y.
2820 * TELEGRAPH RELAY/SOUNDER AND KEY:(31KB)
Old brass key with steel lever mounted on wooden base with a brass
combination relay and sounder. Labeled: "J.H.Bunnell New York,N.Y.
RELAY, Type 405, 150 ohms.
2825 * UNUSUAL RIGHT-ANGLE KEY AND RELAY SET:(16KB)
This is a very unusual combination of a right-angle telegraph key
and a sensitive relay mounted on a thick bakelite base with
contact pins sticking down to make contact with some kind of sub-base.
2930 * TELEGRAPH LINE LIGHTNING ARRESTOR:(12KB)
Lovely brass mechanism on round wooden base. Lightning spark gap can be
adjusted by turning large brass wheel.
2932 * TELEGRAPH LINE LIGHTNING ARRESTOR:(32KB)
Lovely brass mechanism on rectangular wooden base. Lightning spark gap
is the double sawtooth design. Brass pins can be inserted to ground
various lines.Engraved J.H.Bunnell & Co.NewYork.
2936 * TELEGRAPH LINE LIGHTNING ARRESTOR. Lovely brass mechanism on
rectangular wooden base. Lightning spark gap is the double sawtooth
design and a brass pin can be inserted to ground various lines. Brass
wing nuts are used to connect to the lines. The wood base is engraved
N.T. CO. Which probably stands for National Telephone Company the competitor
to the British Post Office until nationalized in 1912.
2940 * SWISS TELEGRAPH TEST SET:(17KB)
This is an unusual Swiss Telegraph Test Set.
2950 * WESTERN UNION - BUNNELL 18-A TELEGRAPH
RHEOSTAT NETWORK:(19KB)
This is a network of switchable resistors which can be switched into
a circuit to help balance it.
2960 TELEGRAPH LINE IMPEDANCE MATCHING NETWORK:(29KB)
Black box marked Western Electric with many brass switches for selecting
combinations of capacitors and resistors to simulate a second line for
duplex setups and to balance line impedance over very long distance
lines.
2968 BRITISH GPO TELEGRAPH TEST METER SET:(18KB)
This set consists of a multimeter with many voltage ranges which
is marked GPO and accompanied by numerous shunts to increase
the ranges.
2970 * TELEGRAPH LINE SWITCH:(23KB)
2-pole,3 position sliding line switch mfg by Bunnell.
2972 * TELEGRAPH LINE SWITCH:(23KB)
This is a 4-pole, 2 position telegraph line switch.
2980 * WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CALL BOX:(17KB)
When you turned the handle of this box it sent out a coded call and
dispatch a messenger to your location to pick up a telegram.
2985 20-LINE TELEGRAPH OFFICE INPUT PANEL:(26KB)
This is the input panel for 20 telegraph lines coming into a
telegraph office. It has a separate fuse for each line and a jack
for connecting the office instruments to each line. It is labeled:
Western Union Telegraph Company.
2990 * FIRE ALARM KEY & LIGHTNING ARRESTOR:(15KB)
Many interesting and early keys were used in early fire-alarm systems in which
the location of the fire was transmitted as a series of short electrical
pulses and long or short spaces. The signals were received as a series of
bell rings in every fire house in the city. Fire alarm keys such as this one
are often mistaken for telegraph keys. In trying to determine whether a key
is from a fire-alarm or telegraph system, it is helpful to remember that
Gamewell and Roland made exclusively fire alarm apparatus. In addition, the
keys do not usually have fine adjustments and are designed for rather large
movements of the knob. Many, such as this one do not even have any adjustment
for knob-travel or spring tension.
2995 UNUSUAL ANGLED FIRE ALARM KEY:(15KB)
This unusual upward-angled key was mounted vertically on a Fire Alarm Bureau
test panel. Keys like this were used in test circuits in the Fire Alarm
Bureaus of major city Fire Departments like that in Boston. In the early days
before telephone and radio, these keys were sometimes also used to send Morse
Code messages between the Alarm Bureau Staff and the Linemen that were working
to maintain the circuits.
2998 CAMELBACK STYLE FIRE ALARM KEY:(33KB)
This Chrome-plated camelback key was probably used by a Chief Dispatcher
because it is horizontally-oriented. Chief Dispatcherts used this type of key
to send fire alarm signals on local and city-wide fire alarm circuits. Often
mistaken for land-line telegraph keys, these fire alarm keys (sometimes called
'tappers') were widely used in fire stations as early as the 1860's (This key
is much more recent). The coded location of the fire was sent by the key and
received in the form of bell signals at the remote fire stations.
NOTE: I AM ALWAYS LOOKING TO BUY OR TRADE TELEGRAPH KEYS !
Professor Tom Perera
1200a Another View of the Swedish Key:(16KB)
1200b Another View of the Swedish Key:(17KB)
1221 * SWEDISH ERICSSON KEY: More modern version of above. Circa 1960s.
1222 * SWEDISH/NATO ERICSSON-STYLE KEY: Long 7" lever on
brown base. Circa 1960s.
5060a * The Label on the
Early Danish key:
5070a * The Label on the Danish key:
5070b * The Underside of the Danish key:
5070c * The Removable Base of the Danish key showing the
modular connectors:
1226a Another view of the FRENCH PTT KEY:(14KB)
1228a Another view of the WELLS FARGO Key:(12KB)
1237a Another view of the British key:(13KB)
1242a Another view of the BRITISH LAND-LINE
KEY:(16KB)
1251a Right-Side top view of the key:(36KB)
1251b Closer view of the top of the key:(50KB)
1251c A view of the bottom of the key:(33KB)
1255a Closer view of the British Railroad
key/bell: (14KB)
9190 Australian Clipsal key (number 9190):(54KB)
1270a ** A closer view of the oldest Indian Key:
1270b ** A closer view of the label on the
oldest Indian Key:
1282a Another closer view of the strap key:(17KB)
1290a Another view of the Swiss/Italian key:(29KB)
1294a A different view of the Swiss/Italian key:(18KB)
1295a Another view of the Swiss/Italian key:(30KB)
1295b Another view of the Swiss/Italian key:(30KB)
1295c Another view of the Swiss/Italian key:(30KB)
1295d A view of the underside of the base of the
Swiss/Italian key:(30KB)
1296a A left side view of the Swiss
Key:(30KB)
1296b A close-up view of the spring supported contacts
also showing the maker's name and location:(34KB)
1296c A side-by-side comparison between the Swiss/Italian
key (1294 above) and this Swiss key:(27KB)
1298a Another view of the German key:(11KB)
1307a Another view of the Western Electric Leg Key:
(14KB)
1320a Another closer view of the knife-edge
bearings:(14KB)
1325.gif Another view of the VICTOR LEG KEY:(18KB)
1335a CLOSE-UP VIEW OF SPECIAL SPRING ON ABOVE
KEY:(13KB)
1345a A closer view of the label on the
box:(43KB)
1351 * LEG KEY, Like 1350 but lever stamped BUNNELL inside rectangular box.
1352, * & 1253 LEG KEY, Same as 1350 but lever not stamped.
1355 * LEG KEY, Same as 1350 but missing one wing nut and the insulated leg.
1370a Another view of the unusual leg key:(16KB)
1370b Another view of the unusual leg key:(15KB)
1442 * BUNNELL SIDESWIPER:(10KB) Similar to above.
1443 * BUNNELL SIDESWIPER:(17KB) Similar to above.
1455a Another view of the multiple contact
key:(21KB)
1456a Back view of the Panel Mount Key.
1456b Right side view of the Panel Mount Key.
1456c Left side view of the Panel Mount Key.
1458a Another View of the unplated polechanger
key:(18KB)
1459a * Another view of the Polechanger Key:
1460 A close-up view of the terminals:(28KB)
1462 LEGLESS land line key: Brass base engraved:"Mfg by JHBunnell,
NewYork USA." The early "Triumph" key design all brass key with shorting
switch and cylindrical electrical terminals. The steel lever is
engraved "BUNNELL S".
1465a Closeup of the CHAS CORY stamp:(25KB)
1469 LEGLESSS LAND LINE KEY:(7KB)
Same as above on wooden base.
1474 * Same as above:(7KB)
Mounted on black bakelite base.
1475 * Same as above:(32KB)
Engraved"(N)AT&T Telegraph Key" on the brass base.Unmounted.
1476 * LEGLESS land line key Mfg by JHBunnell, New York, USA. The early
"Triumph" key design all brass key with cylindrical electrical
terminals.No shorting switch, and no identification on brass base.
Mounted on marble base.
1480a Another view of the key:(16KB)
1480b A right side view of the key:(15KB)
1480c Another similar Signal Electric Key:(27KB)
1480e A Signal Electric Key sold by NATHANIEL
BALDWIN:(47KB) This is a very unusual key. It is a typical Signal
Electric Legless Key but it carries the Nathaniel Baldwin-Consolidated Radio
Products Co. Chicago... label under its base and has a special second wooden
base which has been drilled out to make room for the contact screws and then
nailed to the underside of the key. The bindiing posts have been drilled out
to accept the pin jacks of a pair of headphones (presumably the Baldwin
Headphones.) The top of the key also carries the WW-2 US Army Signal Corps
insignia in red.
1483 Same as above but steel lever stamped with military type number.
1489a Another view of the UNUSUAL LEGLESS
KEY:(15KB)
1490a The Telegraph-by-Telephone Key in its box:
(49KB)
1490b A Closer View of The Telegraph-by-Telephone Key
in its box:(72KB)
1490c The Telegraph-by-Telephone Key and a
candlestick telephone in operating position:(85KB)
1490d The Original Patent for the Telegraph-by-Telephone
Key:(183KB)
1495a Closeup of Western Electric Mini-Key:(35KB)
1495b * WESTERN ELECTRIC TEST SET &
TINY KEYS:(40KB)
1507 STEEL LEVER KEY KOB:(41KB) As above but
has no stamping on key or sounder.
1508 STEEL LEVER KEY KOB:(45KB) As above but
has no stamping on key or sounder.
A special brass plaque:(9KB)
on the bottom of the sounder reads: TELEGRAPHER'S DINNER in honor of
ANDREW CARNEGIE, Hotel Manhattan, New York, November 27, 1908.
The plaque also has a big "73" engraved on it over the other writing.
It was reported that each guest had one of these sounders at his place
setting and that the host sent messages to his guests' sounders in
code.
1550a Another view of the J.H.BUNNELL MINIATURE KEY and
SOUNDER:(48KB)
1550b Another view of the J.H.BUNNELL MINIATURE KEY and
SOUNDER:(57KB)
1550.gif J.H.BUNNELL MINIATURE KEY and 1551
SOUNDER:(11KB)
1551a Another view of the Bunnell Miniature
Key:(38KB)
1552a Another view of the Bunnell Miniature
key & sounder:(43KB)
1553a Another view of the Bunnell Miniature
Sounder:(38KB)
The closed box looks like this:(31KB)
Another view of the inside:(34KB)
showing the steel-lever Bunnell key on the right, and the unboxed
box-sounder on the left as well as a place to coil the wires in the cover.
The key has an unique additional bar
riveted to the shorting bar:(25KB)
That allows the shorting bar to be operated from the left side of the key.
This is necessary because of the restricted space inside of the box.
The 8" x 7" x 20" brass edged wooden box:(22KB)
has brass reinforcements around all edges. A brass label in the center
reads 284. Another brass tag in the front left reads MATR 92 21-72.
This view shows the register with
its arms folded:(34KB)
The set is obviously designed for field use with all metal parts plated.
This close-up view shows the ink register:(31KB)
which is stamped WESTERN ELECTRIC ITALIANA-MILANO. Telephonici-telegrafici
Societa anonyma. Number 15998.
This close-up view shows the early telegraph
key:(19KB)
This close-up view shows the sounder/bell
and switchboard:(42KB)
1720a Another view of the two sets:(30KB)
The key:(16KB) is a typical straight-lever
European style key.
The ink-writing register is operated by an
Unique Sounder Mechanism:(19KB) which is directly coupled
to the Register mechanism.
1745a Another view of the Russian Register:
(26KB)
1745b Another view of the Russian Register:
(26KB)
1745c A view of the Russian Register which shows the
makers name:(26KB)
Historian and collector Neal McEwen K5RW has researched this unit
and reports that it is properly called a 'direct working
single current intermediate baseboard set.' He traced out the
schematic and found that the sounder is in the circuit only
on receive. The sounder is out of the circuit on send. The
telegraphist apparently watched the galvanometer or listened to
the galvanometer needle ring as the needle hit the stops to
monitor his sending. The galvanometer is in the circuit on
both send and receive so the telegraphist can see the
galvanometer even if the sounder is mal-adjusted.
Neal believes that the galvanometer started out as a traditional
''Q and I'' detector, which is an application of galvanometer
technology for linemen to check bateries, find faults, etc. It
measures relative current, not absolute current. The Q and I
detectors were turned into galvanometers for use on the baseboard sets.
On Neal's galvanometer he can see the original Q and I connections
that have been puttied up.
Neal believes that these sets were made for the British Army
and that the traditional single current galvanometer was too big
to make the set portable. Hence the small galvanometer made from
the Q & I meter.
a label:(18KB)that reads:
THORNTON N. MOTLEY & CO., NEW YORK, U.S.A.
1830a Another view of the KOB:(45KB)
1834 * Similar to above:(39KB)
but key stamped "MESCO". No ID on sounder. Has switch.
1839 * TELEGRAPH KEY AND ''SNARE-DRUM''
SOUNDER ON BASE (KOB):(17KB)
Similar to 1838 above.
1839a Another view of the Snare-Drum set:(15KB)
1842 * Same as 1840 above.
1844 * Same as above:(27KB
but sounder stamped "Manhattan Electric Supply Co.New York".
1846 Same as above but sounder stamped "MESCO".
1848 Same as above but key & sounder stamped"Signal Electric
Co.Menominee,Mich".
1849 Same as above but unmarked:(46KB)
1850 * Same as above:(40KB)
but key and sounder both mounted on individual wooden
bases and stamped "Signal Electric Mfg. Co., Menominee, Mich".
1852 * Same as above but key only on its wooden base and not stamped.
1854 * Same as above but key only on wooden base & not stamped.No shortg
switch.
Vy early steel-lever brass Bunnell key & Large Bunnell main-line sounder
with the unique cam operated magnetic flux adjustment mechanism.
Base stamped: "POSTAL TEL CO. 150 OHMS.
1861a Another view of the Skirrow-Postal KOB:(22KB)
1861b Another view of the Skirrow-Postal KOB:(42KB)
1862a Another view of the Beeko-Like KOB Set:(15KB)
1863a A view of the Beeko key alone:(21KB)
1863b A view of the Beeko sounder alone:(16KB)
1866 * Same as above:(28KB)
1874 * Same as above.
1875 * TELEGRAPH KEY AND BUZZER ON BASE:(13KB)
Similar to 1872.
1876 * Same as above with unenclosed brass buzzer.
1877 * TELEGRAPH KEY AND POCKET WATCH STYLE
BUZZER ON BASE:(18KB)
This cast iron base key has been mounted on the same base as an
old pocket watch style buzzer.
1877a A close view of the pocket watch style
buzzer with cover removed.(23KB)
The 'RESONATOR' is a wooden box which channels and
acoustically amplifies the sounds made by a sounder to help
an operator to hear the clicking sounds. The typical resonator is
made of 3/8-inch thick cherry or similar wood.
If you would like to build one, the dimensions are as follows:
The base is 6-7/8 inches wide and 4-7/8 inches deep overall.
The height of both the back wood panel and of the front edge
up to the peak is 7-7/8 inches.
2031 *, 2032 * Same as above:(23KB)
2080a * A closer view of the Unusual
Sounder:(37KB)
Another view of # 2550(17KB)
2553a Another view of the Bunnell polar relay:(19KB)
2557a A closer view of the contacts:(19KB)
2558a A different view of the repeater:(15KB)
2559a A closer view of the special contacts:(15KB)
2588a Another view of the Bunnell Telegraph Relay:
2593a Another view of the
Small Bunnell Telegraph Relay:(46KB)
2594a Another view of the Small Bunnell Telegraph
Relay:(46KB)
2597 * Same as above but 4 ohm:(15KB)
2598 * Same as above but just stamped 20 ohms:(21KB)
2599 * Same as above but just stamped 20 ohms:(14KB)
A close-up of the Patent on the tension adjustment
knob:16KB)
A close-up of the label:(15KB)
A close-up of the Skirrow mechanism:(10KB)
2605a Another view of the
SMALL PLATED MESCO TELEGRAPH RELAY:(47KB)
2610a A closer view of the label and
contacts:(15KB)
2805a A closer view of the key on the Box Sounder
/ Rod-Lever Key:(34KB)
2805b A closer view of the box sounder on the Box
Sounder / Rod-Lever Key:(34KB)
2816a A closer view of the telegraph key:(15KB)
2816b A closer view of the relay/sounder:(13KB)
2822 * TELEGRAPH RELAY/SOUNDER AND KEY:(15KB)
Similar to above.
2822a * Another view of # 2822:(17KB)
2824 * Same as above but labeled "Western Electric Company, Pat'd".
2826 * Same as above but labeled "W. U. Tel. Co., Pat'd", 35 ohms.
2825a A closer view of the telegraph key:(15KB)
2934 Similar to above engraved L.G.TILLOTSON, 8 Dey St. New York.
2950a A closer view of the label of the
rheostat:(22KB)
2950b A closer view of the dial of the
rheostat:(22KB)
2968a A closer view of the meter:(16KB)
2970a Another view of the switch:(18KB)
2972, 2974 * Similar to above but use brass pins (missing) to make the
contacts.
2985a The other side of the panel:(29KB)
2985b Another view of the panel:(35KB)
2985c A close-up view of the label:(24KB)
Keys used in Fire Departments and Fire Alarm Circuits:
In rare emergencies involving the breakdown of the Chief Dispatcher's desk
equipment, these test board keys were used to send actual fire alarm signals
on local and city-wide fire alarm circuits.
The Chief Dispatcher's key was referred to as a "tapper". The coded
location of the fire was sent by the "tapper" and received in the form of bell
signals at the remote stations. Every 'tap' on the key would ring alarm bells
in all the fire statgions in the city to identify the location of the
fire.
These keys were widely used in fire stations as early as the 1860's (This key
is much more recent).
2995a A view of the contacts of the Fire Alarm
Key:(15KB)
Montclair State University
Internet On-Line Telegraph & Scientific Instrument Museum:
(I receive over 200 spam messages daily.
To help me avoid them, I ask you to type my email address as
follows with no spaces between words:)
http://w1tp.com
or:
http://www.chss.montclair.edu/~pererat/telegrap.htm
Internet ENIGMA Museum: http://w1tp.com/enigma
