Harold Kramer/WJ1B

This fully functional showpiece replica key #0039 is identical to the first real hand key that Alfred Vail made for Samuel F. B. Morse  for use in Morse's 1844 demonstration of telegraphy. This KENT Engineers replica key is based on the example in the Smithsonian Institution. This key called the, "Lever Correspondent,"  became the standard for key designs.

This is a handmade, custom built, clothespin based, Wild Woody WARC Key. It was made by Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, SK, who wrote great books and articles on key collecting. He wrote me that these "Wild Woody Wacky Wabblers" have become world famous and they are in prestigious collections everywhere. They are modeled after my first key - when I built my station from scratch and scraps." This key is number #53 and it was a gift to the collection from Dave.

An American Morse Model KK-1 straight key. This precision machined key comes in a kit. I assembled it myself. It is fully adjustable, well balanced and has a solid feel. For more info visit American Morse Equipment's Web site. I purchased this key from Doug Hauff, the owner of American Morse, at the Pacificon Hamfest in 2006.

A QRP J-38, half scale telegraph key.  It is handmade by Lee Hutchins, KA6IRL. Lee's card is included with the key. It also has a custom wooden box. Constructed of over 30 parts, it comes complete with an adjustable tension spring, key travel and bearing tension, and a hand finished black Bakelite style base.

This wooden strap key with a wooden knob was hand made by Jerry McGregor, KD5JHE, of Oxford, MS. Jerry's students make these keys in their Amateur Radio Licensing Class. Gift to the collection from Jerry when I attended the Jackson, MS Hamfest.

This is not a telegraph key. It is a stapler made to look like a telegraph key! It was manufactured by Hugo H Rousseau & Sons in San Francisco. The rheostat (upper right)is a staple remover. I found an ad for this stapler in a 1968 QST. It sold for $10.59 plus 80 cents postage.

Leeds and Northrup Strap Key:

An unusual device that may or many not be a Morse Code key. I don't know. It has three binding posts. NC when up and NC when down. It was made by Leeds and Northrup, a company that manufactures scientific equipment and lab instruments. This" key" was probably made for this type of application.