Western Union Activating Key



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POST - 1881 LAND LINE TELEGRAPH EQUIPMENT (PART I)
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EARLY LAND-LINE TELEGRAPH EQUIPMENT (1): (Approximately 1881 - 1890s) (1001-1500)

EARLY STEEL LEVER KEYS (1): (Approximately 1881 - 1890s) (1001-1500)

After the Civil War, Railroads, Telegraph Companies, and Businesses provided a growing market for the many types of apparatus being produced. Attempts to avoid patent infringement led to new and interesting designs.

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.)

PART I:


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 whichwere often necessary in order to transmit messages throughthe 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.


1014 * ELLIOTT BROTHERS CABLE KEY:(20KB) Large and massive cable key similar to 1012 with the highvoltage 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 onthe 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 forsubmarine telegraph signalling and testing on the Washingtonto 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 offso it could be mounted on a metal base. The key has beenchrome plated and the insulators have been replaced with whiteplastic material. The shorting lever knob has been replaced witha machined knob. I personally prefer to leave these keys in theas-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 ElectricSounder. 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 thatthis is a transitional design between the Western Electricrectangular frame sounders and the Western Electric all roundframe sounders.

1057a * Closer view of the Steiner Key:(11KB)

1057b * Closer view of the Round-Anvil Western ElectricSounder:(12KB)

1062 * PRIVATE-LINE CAST-BASE KOB WITH STEINER KEY:(35KB) This KOB has a Steiner Key and sounder cast intoit's base. Private-Line KOB's were designed to be used on 'private telegraph lines' in homes and businesses. They weremade on cast iron bases which were often decorated with flowersand 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 keyis 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.

1200a Another View of the Swedish Key:(16KB)

1200b Another View of the Swedish Key:(17KB)


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.
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.


{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.

5060a * The Label on the Early Danish key:


{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.

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:


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.

1226a Another view of the FRENCH PTT KEY:(14KB)


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.

1228a Another view of the WELLS FARGO Key:(12KB)


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 keyon wooden base.

1237a Another view of the British key:(13KB)


1240 EARLY BRITISH 'WALTERS' LAND-LINE KEY:(13KB)The unique and unusual design of this key includes a flat springsteel strip (Similar to that on a Steiner Key) instead of atrunnion shaft. The contacts are enclosed in the round brasscylinder at the middle of the key.


1242 EARLY BRITISH GPO LAND-LINE KEY:(19KB)This lovely early key is marked PATT 1056A.

1242a Another view of the BRITISH LAND-LINE KEY:(16KB)


1245 ** EARLY BRITISH LAND-LINE KEY MADE BY ELLIOTT BROTHERS:(15KB)This lovely early brass land-line key is owned bycollector 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.

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)


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-operatedbell. 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.

1255a Closer view of the British Railroad key/bell: (14KB)


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:

9190 Australian Clipsal key (number 9190):(54KB)


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.

1270a ** A closer view of the oldest Indian Key:

1270b ** A closer view of the label on the oldest Indian Key:


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.

1282a Another closer view of the strap key:(17KB)


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.

1290a Another view of the Swiss/Italian key:(29KB)


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).

1294a A different view of the Swiss/Italian key:(18KB)


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.

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)

West


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.

1296a A left side view of the Swiss Key:(30KB)

1296b A close-up view of the spring supported contactsalso 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)


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 thatare uniquely found on virtually all of the early post-camelback era German keys.

1298a Another view of the German key:(11KB)

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.

1307a Another view of the Western Electric Leg Key:(14KB)


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.

1320a Another closer view of the knife-edge bearings:(14KB)


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.

1325.gif Another view of the VICTOR LEG KEY:(18KB)


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 additionalspring plate between the contacts that is adjusted by Phelps stylescrews.

1335a CLOSE-UP VIEW OF SPECIAL SPRING ON ABOVEKEY:(13KB)

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.

1345a A closer view of the label on the box:(43KB)


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.
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.


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.

1370a Another view of the unusual leg key:(16KB)

1370b Another view of the unusual leg key:(15KB)


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.

1442 * BUNNELL SIDESWIPER:(10KB) Similar to above.

1443 * BUNNELL SIDESWIPER:(17KB) Similar to above.


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 contactsas well as multiple contacts which can be closed or opened bymoving the sorting switch lever left or right. I am looking formore information on this key.

1455a Another view of the multiple contact key:(21KB)


1456 WESTERN UNION 4B PANEL MOUNT TELEGRAPH KEY:This key mounted on a panel. The shorting switch lever also extends through the panel.

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.


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.

1458a Another View of the unplated polechanger key:(18KB)


1459 * POLECHANGER KEY WITH OVAL BRASS BASE:(15KB) Similar to 1458 but key has oval brass base.

1459a * Another view of the Polechanger Key:


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.

1460 A close-up view of the terminals:(28KB)


1460b ** HARD-TO-FIND EARLY BUNNELL LEGLESS TRIUMPH KEY WITH SOLID BASE:(24KB)This key is similar to number 1460 and has the very earlyelevated 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.
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'.

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.

1465a Closeup of the CHAS CORY stamp:(25KB)


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.

1469 LEGLESSS LAND LINE KEY:(7KB) Same as above on wooden base.


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 toJohn 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.

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.

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 LINEKEY:(25KB)This is a typical steel-lever oval-based land linekey. It is mounted on a wooden base which displays theSignal Electric Company Decal. Many of these keys were usedfor training purposes.

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.


1481 * EARLY BUNNELL STRAIGHT KEY:(20KB) Cast iron based key mounted on newer oak base.


1482 * BRASS 'MESCO' KEY:(51KB) (Manhattan Electric Supply Company.)
1483 Same as above but steel lever stamped with military type number.


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.

1489a Another view of the UNUSUAL LEGLESS KEY:(15KB)


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. ??

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)


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.

1495a Closeup of Western Electric Mini-Key:(35KB)

1495b * WESTERN ELECTRIC TEST SET & TINY KEYS:(40KB)

PLEASE SEE PART II FOR CONTINUATION:

NOTE: I AM ALWAYS LOOKING TO BUY OR TRADE TELEGRAPH KEYS !

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Professor Tom Perera
Montclair State University

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