Here are some McElroy and related keys from my collection. McElroy keys were manufactured in Massachusetts by T.R. McElroy who billed himself as the world’s fastest telegrapher.
 

   A McElroy Chrome Stream Key manufactured by T.R. "Ted" McElroy. This is an Amateur Model 100 with a chrome teardrop finish. It has a chrome steel triumph lever with a black knob and shorting bar. This is still a great looking and great performing key.  The chrome key was purchased from the estate of W7OIO (Butte, MT) and has his call (in pencil) on underside.

    A McElroy tear drop shaped Model 100 Stream Key with an unusual gray plastic base and a steel Triumph lever. The gray plastic base is labeled : "Stream Key Manufactured by T.R. McElroy, Boston Mass U.S.A.” In the rear of the key, the label reads: "Radio Telegraph Transmitting Key."   This key was probably manufactured around 1941.

McElroy Model 200 Stream Key with Black Crackle Base:

    Another T.R. McElroy Stream Key but with the more common black crackle base.  This is a Model 200 that was probably manufactured between 1940 and 1943.  These keys are sought after by collectors because of Ted McElroy's personality and his accomplishments. 

     This rather unattractive key was one of the earliest McElroy straight keys, and it was called, obviously, the Mac Straight Key. It debuted in 1937. It was made on a heavy cast iron rectangular base and could be bought with or without the mechanical oscillator or “Hummer" that was mounted on the three holes at the back of the key’s base.  I obtained this key at the Seaside Ham radio convention in Seaside, Oregon in 2006.

    This is a copy of a McElroy Stream Key made out of zinc or "pot metal" often referred to as a “fake” McElroy. Some collectors believe that these were actually made by McElroy to fulfill a contract for the Signal Corps during WWII. Who knows?  I purchased this key a ham radio convention in Wallingford, Connecticut.

Grimmer Wilson McElroy Clone Straight Key:

    This is not a McElroy but it sure looks like one! I believe that this is a Grimmer Wilson key that was made in Canada and used by the RCAF. With its teardrop shape and shorting lever.  It has a steel lever and pivot pins like a McElroy but lacks the shorting bar and conductive strips on the top of the key.

   This is, reputedly, a McElroy Stream Key Model 100 with the front of the base cut off to accommodate mounting in a McElroy Oscillatone Code Practice Oscillator.  Telegraphic Apparatus Company was a McElroy subsidiary created to meet demand when the main manufacturing plants were busy with work for the US Signal Corps.