After enjoying a straight-key QSO on SKN and thinking of the keys I had used back as a novice, I thought I’d see what I could find on eBay. I remembered a brass key that my father had used (another thing I hope is packed in a box somewhere in my mountain of boxes).
Without much trouble, I found what looked to be a nicely preserved (or restored) Western Electric key and put in a bid around $40. I remained top bid for many days until 5 minutes before bidding ended. A few adjustments later and I had won the key, which I mounted on a stained piece of black cherry.
While it was stamped on the shorting arm “Western Electric”, a bit of research indicated that it was a Western Electric model 1A. That key was actually built to their specifications by J.H. Bunnell — essentially a JHB Triumph key private labeled for WE in 1906. Since this key was designed for landline telegraphy over highly inductive circuits, the contacts are made of tungsten. You might be able to make out the more rose colored outer knobs that support the moving arm. These are made of bronze, probably because of its common use as a bearing material.
I couldn’t help but think of how the Signal Corps must have modeled their famous J-30 key (know as the J-38 key when mounted on the signature Bakelite base) after the Bunnell Triumph. Below is a photo of my J-38. There were no markings so I have no idea who made it (it certainly is NOT a Lionel). While the frame of the key is crudely cast brass, it has been plated with Cadmium so it appears as white metal, with silver plated contacts.
