Harold R. Kramer, Amateur Radio Station WJ1B  - Unique Keys

Collection Info Amateur Keys Bugs and Paddles Commercial Keys International McElroy Keys Memorabilia Toy Keys Unique Keys US Military

Here are some unique, unusual and just plain different keys from my collection!
Vail Key Vail Key Reproduction Key  (The First Morse Code Key):

This fully functional showpiece is identical to the first "real mechanism" hand key Alfred Vail made for Samuel F. B. Morse to use in his 1844 demonstration of telegraphy. This KENT Engineers replica key is based on the example in the Smithsonian Institution. Vail designed and made the "Lever Correspondent" which became a "reference" for key designs over many years.  Purchased from Walt, W2UGZ.
K4TWJ Wild Woody WARC Key K4TWJ Wild Woody WARC Key:

This is a handmade, custom built, clothespin based,  Wild Woody WARC Key.  It was made by Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, who writes 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 is key is numbered #53 and it was a gift to the collection from Dave.
American Morse Key American Morse KK-1 Straight Key:

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 real solid feel. For more info visit American Morse Equipment.  I purchased this key from Doug, the owner of American Morse, at Pacificon 2006.
 
QRP J-38 QRP J38 Half Scale Key:

A QRP J-38, half scale telegraph key! 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, a hand finished black bakelite style base. 
 
Telegraph Key Stapler:

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 is a staple remover.  I found an ad for this stapler in a 1968 QST.  It sold for $10.59 plus .80 postage.
Leeds and Northrup Strap Key Leeds and Northrup Strap Key?:

This device may or many not be a CW 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.