Harold Kramer/WJ1B

There are labels on the front edge of the enclosure for the up or non-keying position "Prijem" (receive) and the down or keying position "Vysilani" (transmit). The body is a dark green Bakelite or plastic. Info on this key was kindly provided by Jan, OK1XU, who says "This key was (and, I think, still is) generally used in the Czech Army. It is part of the old field radio station "RM31" (many tubes and Xtals...). Many Czech hams learned CW by a means of this key, because these keys could be found in many radio clubs, at flea markets and so on." N1FN

This is a 1960's or 70's vintage Jardillier miniature key They were made in Issy, Les Moulineaux, France and were manufactured for the French military and the French Post Office. The key was also used by the South African military and possibly the French Foreign Legion. It was equipped with a canvas strap that was made to be fastened over the operator’s thigh. 

This key is small enough to be called a “Spy Key” but it was actually used in the Indian Telegraph Service. It was part of a test set that workers used when climbing telegraph poles to determine where there was a problem with the telegraph lines. It was designed to be strapped to the climber’s leg so that he could easily operate the key while on the pole.  It's designed is similar to British keys of the time as evidenced by the mushroom knob, and straight lever.

An Italian military key that was manufactured by IRET (Industria Radio Elettrica e Telecomunicazioni) in Trieste, Italy.

This is a Bakelite training key made in Milano Italy by Terreaneo  .It has a modified type of Navy knob with a straight lever. It has a buzzer on the back that was used for code practice.

"A Russian, wood base, training key with a metal lever and plastic knob. It was made for DOSAAF an organization that trained school children in the use of the code. In English, it means: Voluntary Society of Assistance to the Army, the Air Force and the Navy, a pre-military youth organization. Gift to the collection from K1ZZ.

This is a miniature straight key with a straight lever arm and a black plastic knob. The key appears to be enclosed in a gray metal box. I have kept it in its original sealed plastic bag. Inside the bag, there is a paper with some Russian characters. According to Tom Perrera, these keys were used with R-143, R-159, Angara and some spy radios and some special radios. I have also read that they were used by paratroopers.

These heavy duty keys were manufactured in Cherkassy,Ukraine for the Soviet military through the 1980s. The hinged cover, knob and base are made of heavy plastic. This TKF model has a filter built into its base to eliminate sparking and induced currents in high RF environments.