BA FISTS CW CLUB
N6EV
Telegraph Key Collection

Please indulge a bit of commentary before we dive into the collection. As a lover of all things Morse Code, collecting telegraph keys, sounders, paddles and bugs has been a natural extension to my Amateur Radio exploits. The instruments below are more than show pieces collecting dust on a shelf. Each is used on the air, regardless of age.

My philosophy in collecting older telegraph instruments has always involved soft restoration. I.E., general cleaning and repair to make them functional, but keep them in their as-found condition. As with all antiques, taking a wire brush to brass in order to 'shine it up' is blasphamy in this shack. As such, some of these keys have quite a 'patina' built up and truely show their age. It's sad to see some of the scortched specimens offered for sale on places like E-Bay where antique keys and sounders have been polished to the point they look new. I truely believe these people are destroying these piecies of history. I refuse to buy from these vendors (Mr Green background as an example), and hope you do the same.

Work In Progress!

This page is a work in progress. I have over 30 keys that I am trying to document with high resolution photos. Please check back often as I will be adding additional keys in the coming days and weeks. Thanks for visiting! Please don't hesitate to tell me what you think.. or if you'd like to see something highlighted. Email Me


Straight Keys & Sounders

Bunnell Camelback KOB
ca. 1878		 Bunnell Legless Pattern
Steel Lever Key (Solid)
ca. 1881		 Bunnell Steel Lever
Skeleton Base Key
ca. 1898		 Bunnell Steel Lever
Skeleton Base Key
ca. 1898		 Bunnell Steel Lever
Skeleton Base Key
ca. 1898
 
Bunnell 'Standard Wireless' Spark Key
ca. 1915		 Signal Electric R-62 Spark Key Signal Electric R-64 Spark Key Bunnell Navy Flameproof Bunnell Triumph
Vibroplex Straight Key Bencher RJ-1 J38 Key Key
Key / Sounder Key / Sounder Key / Sounder Key / Sounder Key / Sounder
Key / Sounder Key / Sounder Key / Sounder Key / Sounder Key / Sounder


Semiautomatic Keys (Bugs)

1926 Vibroplex Blue Racer
"Deluxe" Hybrid (Rare)		 Vibroplex J36 (Lightning) Vibroplex Original Vibroplex Vibrokeyer Key 5


Iambic Paddles

Bencher Mercury Paddle
S/N 1001 (#2 produced)		 WBL V22
S/N 009		 WBL V22
S/N 074		 Shurr Profi Jones Key Brass
 
Vibroplex Iambic Vibproplex Square
Brass Racer		 Vibroplex Brass Racer Bencher Paddle Key 10


Return to N6EV's Home Page

Send Mail to: N6EV
Copyright 2010-2011, Paul Carreiro, N6EV