A sounder is a magnetic device that makes an audible click when activated by an electric telegraph.  When the telegraph key is depressed, current flows and the magnet is pulled in making a clicking sound. Sounders were used by operators to copy code before the invention of the electronic oscillator.

Telegraph Sounders:

This is a Bunnell vertical spring Telegraph Sounder on a stained wood base with two vertical coils.  "J.H.. Bunnell & Company New York, USA" is stamped on the sounder arm.  It was originally owned by my wife's Uncle Jake who worked on the railroad for the US Postal Service. I would guess that it is from the 1940s.

Western Electric Model 15B Main Line Sounder:

A Main Line Sounder Model 15B with a wood base. It has a brass mechanism with a U-Shaped bracket and a vertical spring armature adjustment. There are two vertical exposed coils with black metal covers a black armature bar. There is a brass adjustment lever for armature position/sensitivity. WESTERN ELECTRIC" is stamped on the armature bar.

This is a Western Union Type15C Brass Sounder on a  wooden base. The Base is stamped W.U.T.Co. Line Sounder 15C. 160 ohms. The lever is stamped J.H.Bunnell Co. New York USA . There are eight New York Repair Shop (N.Y.R.S.) inspection stamps on the bottom of the base, (one is dated 1927) some impressed in the wood, some stamped.  This sounder was owned by an employee of the Syracuse, NY office of Western Union.

This is a Western Union Model 15B Steel Sounder on a wooden base. The brass tag on the base reads: W.U. Tel. Co. Main Line Sounder 15B 120 OHM. The lever is stamped Western Electric Co. Patent applied for. There are two New York Repair Shop (N.Y.R.S.) inspection stamps on the bottom of the base. One is pressed in the wood, the other tag is stamped.  This sounder was also owned by an employee of the Syracuse, NY office of Western Union.

This sounder has an oval shaped, brass triumph lever key with two horizontal relay coils. Its unusual feature is the wooden block or "snare drum." A contact is attached to the coils that hits the block to amplify the sound. making it very efficient at amplifying the sound. It was made for Western Electric Company by "J H Bunnell & Co."   This was a gift from a friend.

Key on Boards - KOBs

A Key On Board that was manufactured by Signal Electric Mfg. Co. Menominee, Michigan, probably in the 1920s or 1930s. The key has a triumph lever key and a it includes a vertical spring sounder with "MENOMINEE" stamped its arm. This KOB has a buzzer attached on the left side that was probably used for code practice. The number "4" stamped into wood base indicating 4 ohms.
 

This is another KOB - Key on Board-a key with a sounder. Its wood base is approx 7 1/2" by 5," It has an oval shaped steel key with brass components and black base. with a black knob. The sounder has two vertical coils with exposed wires. A painted diamond type design is also on the key base.. "20 ohms" is stamped on bottom of the base.  This is probably another Signal Electric KOB since MENOMINEE is stamped on the sounder arm.

Telegraph Relay:

This type of telegraph relay was used as an “amplifier” in long distance telegraph circuits. These are often called "Pony Relays." Because they have a unique curved upper contact support that looks a bit like the neck of a goose, they are also called "Goose Neck Relays" Hundreds of thousands were made from 1881 through the 1950's.