A Few Single Current Keys. GPO and Others.

012..... A GPO Single Current morse code transmitting key with Milled head terminals.

The GPO single current keys are based on a design that originates from the 1830's and built by many makers, including Walters Electrical, GPO factories at Silvertown, Holloway in London, ATM Liverpool, H. White & Co and the Royal Ordnance Factory. This key was made by Walters Electrical ( "WE").

  • Info many thanks to Dennis J. Goacher / G3LLZ.


     

    013..... A nice GPO key with cheese head terminals.

    Dennis Goacher's marvelous pamphlet "A History Of The GPO Mark 1, 2, And 3 Morse Telegraph Keys" informs that the keys were made to a very high standard in brass and mahogany. Platinum was used for the contacts.


     
     

    014..... Another very nice GPO Key.

    The knob on this key is superb. Knobs were originally turned from horn but later production runs used wood.


     
     
     
     

    015..... An impressive and rare Austrian Camelback Key used on the Austrian/Hungarian Danube Railway circa 1870. Made in Vienna, Austria by "Hekaphon".

  • This key was very proud to have been featured on the front cover of Morsum Magnificat Magazine number MM34, June 1994.
    Also mentioned in MM35, page 42, where Les Grant / G3XNG describes the key as once used on the Danube line with the A/H Relief (not ink) writer - with variations in design to avoid patents held by Siemens, eg. the hair-pin spring and pivot.
    The wooden base is walnut I think and measures 6" by 3 & 1/2" (152mm by 89mm) the key weighs just over 1lb (463g).


     

    #016..... GNT Key used on the GPO circuit between Seahouses and Oslo Circa 1900. ( Note from John G3LWI: GNT = The Great Northern Telegraph Company).


     
     
     
     
     
     

    #017..... A French PTT Key made by Appareillage Electrique Paris, Circa 1905.


     
     
     
     
     
     

    #018..... A Bulgarian PTT Key Circa 1904 - 10.


     
     
     
     
     
     

    #019..... American Key, possibly Boston, but on a base of American Oak. Circa 1870. Stamped under the arm is "FAIRBANKS PATENT" It was featured in Morsum Magnificat MM62 February 1999 page 32. ANY Info Please ?


     
     
     

    #020. .... W. G. Pye & Co Ltd. morse code transmitting key Circa prior to 1913. (N.B. "The PYE Co. was W.G. Pye & Co. from 1896 - 1913, Pye & Co Ltd. from 1913 - 1929, and PYE Radio from 1929 on". Info: John Francis / G3LWI).


     
     
     
     
     
     

    #021..... Belgian PTT Key made by Gerard Circa 1922. Stamped on the key is "GERARD" and the letter "T". A label on the underneath states "Original Morse-Key as used by the Belgian Regie des Telegraphes et Telephones 1922.


     
     
     
     
     
     

    #022..... Indian Key made by RANA DUTTA & Co. Calcutta. Stamped "5" on base and arm. Circa 1920/1930s.


     
     
     
     
     
     

    #022b..... L. G. Tillotson & Co. 8 Dey Street, New York. 1865. Camelback Leg morse code transmitting Key. (N.B. Tillotson was at Dey Street, New York in 1865, at the end of the American Civil War). Stamped on the arm is "L. G. TILLOTSON & CO. 8 DEY ST. NEW YORK" and on the oval frame is the number 5515. The shorting arm of this key is sadly missing.

  • As a rough guide - Tillotson & Co were located at 262 Broadway, New York from 1862 to 1865. Then at 8 Dey St, New York in 1865, and at 26 Dey Street from 1865 to 1867.


     
     

    #023..... J. H. Bunnell & Co. New York. Leg Key Circa 1890 - 1900. I am no expert on these keys but it looks superb, with a grand satin un-polished finish to the brasswork. I don't think the two knobs are original.

  • If you are ever tempted to polish up a brass key like this then Don't ! It will be much nicer visually left as it is ( plus a poor restoration or over polishing could destroy it's value to a collector. ).


     
     
     

    "BK"