kk4dw10

Fig. 1: Bendix MT-11B Key

This style key is frequently referred to as "Flame proof", more often than not they have a xxx-26003A designation. The first 3 letters representing the manufacturer.

This Bendix version seems to be a later
issue on the same Mil-Spec design. I have mounted this one on a 1/4" slab of mirror finished solid brass, 6" x 3" in dimension. Click to see a CMI-26003A key. It was made by Moulded Insulator Co. This key was obviously copied from a captured WW2 German Lufwaffe key.

Some of these type keys were used on Navy ships and aircraft to operate lamp signal devices. They are an excellent, quiet key for Ham Radio CW use.

This style of key by several makers is quite easy to find in exc. condition still and should not cost a great deal to buy from an honest seller.

Click HERE for a list of Mfg. Prefixes.
known to make telegraph instruments.

Fig. 2: J-38 Keys

This is a U.S. military J-38 key by ARTEC.
[American Radio Telegraph Company].
The base was my creation, using a stray
piece of counter top and some rubber pad.
I think they are built ergonomically perfect.

A great write- up on J-38 keys is to be found HERE

Lionel J-38 keys are NOT particularly hard to find, and are, with the exception of a mint condition, first version, (Lionel on top in white paint) made and marked J-38 key with a mint original box, frequently overpriced.

Lionel keys with just a Lionel "L" pressed into the base show up with regularity on EBay. I removed the lever to photograph the truly hard to find Lionel. Beware of overuse of ''rare'' in any auction listing. There are raised letters just in the center of the base on top saying "The Lionel Corporation, New York, N.Y." along with
a Lionel "L" stamping. These are the ones to find for your collection.

Fig. 3: J-47 Key mount

This is a U.S. military J-47. It is just
basically a standard J-37 key, mounted
on a plain base. There is no lever switch.
A very simple, plain, key. The distinguish-
ing identity of all J-37 type keys is the leaf
spring.

These military keys used to be sold for
pocket change out of a barrel full at
surplus. A nice write- up on the J-37
keys is to be found HERE .

Fig. 4: J-44 Key mount

Fig 5: J-5 Key

SOLD

A Signal Corps U.S. Army Flame Proof Key Type J5 Date Mar 1, 1918 Order 41727 S.C. General Radio Co. The base is only 3-1/8 x 2-5/8" and it weighs only a tad over 15 oz. The key had a flat black finish that I polished off to reveal the beautiful solid brass underneath. Made from 1918 -1945, and used in aircraft primarily. The fear of igniting AvGas fumes with a spark was a real concern. This was a WW1 era key

Fig 6: CAQZ-26026

This Key hasn't much information going for it. I've seen a metal leg band to which it will fasten. It is a flameproof key. The tag reads: NObsr-71017. This pegs it to Navy,
Bureau of Ships, Contract 71017.

No doubt it will fasten to any bulkhead mount. Any specific attribution would be appreciated. I know versions which worked with Navy Field sets TBX . Made by Brelco, NY. See a TBX radio HERE.

Fig. 7: Telegraph set TG-5-B

This is a U.S. Army Signal Corps boat
anchor. It was Made by the Winslow
Corporation of Newark, New Jersey,
under contract. It weighs about 6-1/2
lbs. and measures 6-3/4" x 4"x 4-3/4" .
It has a battery compartment, and it
was designed to be operated over a
wire line. It is marked SC 208A A small
headset and a key is included inside.
The key is a J-41-A. Note the 3rd bind-
ing post. It is similar otherwise to a
J-37. These are getting hard to find
intact as people strip the key out and
throw the box away.

Click HERE to see the circuit diagram
glued inside of the cover.

Fig. 8: Lionel J-36

SOLD

SIGNAL CORPS U.S. ARMY KEY TYPE J-36 ORDER NO. 7861-PHILA-43 1942 MADE BY THE LIONEL CORP., NEW YORK SERIAL NO. 16132. Roughly 6-3/8" x 3-1/2" it weighs ~ 3-1/2 lbs. When Vibroplex could not meet demands of the Army they licensed Lionel and Bunnel to make these. Lionel is best known for toy electric trains.

These are essentially a "Lightning Bug"
and were made between 1935-1943. The greatest "shortcoming" was the label that shrivels up with age. You seldom see one with a complete label remaining, and if you do, chances are it has been pieced back with glue or even replaced with a newly made "faux" label.

Fig. 9: CMH-26012B

SOLD

"Insulated Hand Radio Key" , Navy
type, made by the American Radio
Hardware Co. Inc. in Mt. Vernon, NY.
It was dated Jan 24, 1945. It is a rather unusual key in that the lever is at
ground potential.

The lever contact is insulated and electrical connection to the contact is delivered through the spring, which sits on a contact down inside the base. There is a slot on the side of the base for a flat connector to be plugged in, allowing a "bug" to be placed into the keying circuit if desired.

All brass metal components, with a black bakelite oval base. The overall size is 5-1/4" x 2-3/4" and weight is 5-1/4 oz.

Fig 10: The Instructograph

These machines were seemingly around for decades. The earliest models used a hand cranked spring drive and the tapes supplied were in American wire line Morse which only provided contact closures in series with a sounder which in turn was in series with a big dry cell battery to provide loop current. Trainer KOB's were available for sale with the sets.

Later models incorporated an electric motor, and when Continental Morse was
the prime targeted market, it had an optional internal oscillator. You could also buy it without the optional internal oscillator. You hooked up headphones to hear the code.

The mechanism itself is incredibly simple,
almost primitive. Mine has an AC motor
which drives a conical shaped shaft. The
speed control consists of raising or lower-
ing the entire motor assembly, the shaft of
which presses against a rubber wheel. As
the diameter of the shaft varies, so does the speed of rotation. Replacement rubber
wheels were sold. Later models I believe
had a different motor and used a rheostat
for motor speed control.

The wheel only drives a take up reel to pull
perforated paper tape looped around a
grooved stationary post and the holes in
the tape allow a spring loaded "point" to
press through the tape into the groove.
A 2nd contact (see below) makes the actual electrical closure.

The biggest drawback is the tapes are very
short in play time and you have to remove
and reverse the tape after each play. It is
too bad Instructograph hadn't figured out
how to make a larger tape, and an added mechanism that would as an option reverse itself without need for removal.

	Page 10 U.S. Military & Misc.
Fig 1	xxx - 26003A Navy Keys
Fig 2	J-38 Training Key
Fig 3	J-47 (J-37) Key
Fig 4	J-44 (J-37) Key
Fig 5	J5 Key
Fig 6	Brelco CAQZ-26026 Key
Fig 7	TG-5-B Telegraph Set
Fig 8	Lionel J-36 Key
Fig 9	CMH 26012B Key
Fig 10	The Instructograph