McElroy Telegraph Keys and other Items Page 1
These telegraph keys were manufactured in Massachusetts by T.R. "Ted" McElroy who billed himself as the world’s fastest telegrapher. McElroy telegraph keys are distinguished by their unique teardrop shape and their fine craftsmanship. The keys on this page were manufactured from approximately 1937 through 1942. Tom French of Artifax books has written McElroy's biography called: McElroy world's champion radio telegrapher. You can click on any of these images to enlarge them. McElroy keys were also manufactured by his affiliate company: Telegraphic Apparatus.
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McElroy Stream Keys:
"First Model" Streamkey
This a chrome very early McElroy Stream Key. According to Tom French at Artifax Books, this is probably a late "first model" Streamkey, made around 1940 when McElroy ran out of the triangular nameplates and decided that decals were less expensive. This variation is scarcer than those with the metal nameplate. Like all Stream Keys, the shorting lever curves inward, rather than outward like most other keys. The photo is courtesy of Artifax Books.
This a chrome very early McElroy Stream Key. According to Tom French at Artifax Books, this is probably a late "first model" Streamkey, made around 1940 when McElroy ran out of the triangular nameplates and decided that decals were less expensive. This variation is scarcer than those with the metal nameplate. Like all Stream Keys, the shorting lever curves inward, rather than outward like most other keys. The photo is courtesy of Artifax Books.
McElroy Stream Key Model A-100 with Gray Plastic Base:
A McElroy tear drop shaped Stream Key Model 100 with the less common 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.
A McElroy tear drop shaped Stream Key Model 100 with the less common 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 Stream Key Model A-100 with Black Plastic Base:
The is the more common black plastic base Steam Key Model 100. As opposed to the gray base Model 100 above, this key has a shorting bar visible in the upper right and a cadmium plated chrome lever. These model 100s cost $1.00 to $2.85 when they were new. This key was attached to a cast iron base so it was probably used in a practice set. Circa 1941
The is the more common black plastic base Steam Key Model 100. As opposed to the gray base Model 100 above, this key has a shorting bar visible in the upper right and a cadmium plated chrome lever. These model 100s cost $1.00 to $2.85 when they were new. This key was attached to a cast iron base so it was probably used in a practice set. Circa 1941
McElroy Stream Key Model 200 with Black Crackle Base:
Another teardrop shaped 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 Stream Keys are sought after by collectors not just because of their age and craftsmanship but also because of Ted McElroy's personality and accomplishments.
Another teardrop shaped 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 Stream Keys are sought after by collectors not just because of their age and craftsmanship but also because of Ted McElroy's personality and accomplishments.
McElroy Stream Key Model 300 Deluxe with a Chrome Base:
This beautiful key is an Deluxe Model 300 with a chrome teardrop finish. It has a chrome steel triumph lever with a black knob and shorting bar also with a black knob. It still looks great and performs well, It was purchased from the estate of W7OIO (Butte, MT) and it has his call sign on its underside. It is one of my favorites. It sold for $2.85 when it was new.
This beautiful key is an Deluxe Model 300 with a chrome teardrop finish. It has a chrome steel triumph lever with a black knob and shorting bar also with a black knob. It still looks great and performs well, It was purchased from the estate of W7OIO (Butte, MT) and it has his call sign on its underside. It is one of my favorites. It sold for $2.85 when it was new.
McElroy Hummer Model Telegraph Key:
This was one of the earliest McElroy straight keys. It was called the Mac Straight Key and it debuted in 1937. It was made on a heavy cast iron rectangular base and could be purchased with or without the mechanical oscillator or “Hummer" that was mounted on the three holes at the back of the key’s base. It sold for $1.50
This was one of the earliest McElroy straight keys. It was called the Mac Straight Key and it debuted in 1937. It was made on a heavy cast iron rectangular base and could be purchased with or without the mechanical oscillator or “Hummer" that was mounted on the three holes at the back of the key’s base. It sold for $1.50
McElroy Semi-Automatic Mechanical Bugs
1938 McElroy Standard Model Mac Key:
This is a 1938 Mac-Key. This semi-automatic mechanical bug is distinguished by the black "U" shaped bar that supports the contacts. This key has the factory 'standard" black crackle finish paint. It was built by McElroy Manufacturing Company, then located in Boston, Mass. It is in near perfect condition and it was obtained from the estate of my friend, fellow key collector and author, Dave Ingram K4TWJ (SK).
For more. information on McElroy keys.
This is a 1938 Mac-Key. This semi-automatic mechanical bug is distinguished by the black "U" shaped bar that supports the contacts. This key has the factory 'standard" black crackle finish paint. It was built by McElroy Manufacturing Company, then located in Boston, Mass. It is in near perfect condition and it was obtained from the estate of my friend, fellow key collector and author, Dave Ingram K4TWJ (SK).
For more. information on McElroy keys.
1936 - 1937 McElroy Speed Key Model CMK-26000 US Navy Contract
These bugs were manufactured by McElroy for the US Navy in 1936 and 1937. It is believed that only about 250 were made, According to Tom French at Artifax books:
"Until the mid-1930s it was U.S. Navy policy that "Such 'bug' type keys as there are in use throughout the service are the private property of the individual radioman." Whether it was an earlier inquiry from the Imperial Japanese Navy for an order of Mac Keys, or the publicity McElroy generated from that, in 1936, McElroy was awarded a contract to provide speed keys to the U.S. Navy. The military designation is CMK-26009. The design, with its new damper style and having the wire terminals on the base, begins to resemble the popular Vibroplex keys. Cast into the left side is the Legend "PROPERTY OF US NAVY."
These bugs were manufactured by McElroy for the US Navy in 1936 and 1937. It is believed that only about 250 were made, According to Tom French at Artifax books:
"Until the mid-1930s it was U.S. Navy policy that "Such 'bug' type keys as there are in use throughout the service are the private property of the individual radioman." Whether it was an earlier inquiry from the Imperial Japanese Navy for an order of Mac Keys, or the publicity McElroy generated from that, in 1936, McElroy was awarded a contract to provide speed keys to the U.S. Navy. The military designation is CMK-26009. The design, with its new damper style and having the wire terminals on the base, begins to resemble the popular Vibroplex keys. Cast into the left side is the Legend "PROPERTY OF US NAVY."
Telegraphic Apparatus Company (TAC) CP-500 Bug c. 1944
This key is a copy of the Mac 500 bug. TAC was a WWII Chicago partnership that included Ted McElroy and a couple of his friends. This was TACs first key and it was manufactured sometime between 1944 and 1946. Cast into the underside of the base is the model number: CP500. This bug was used by the telegraph office in Ames Iowa.
This key is a copy of the Mac 500 bug. TAC was a WWII Chicago partnership that included Ted McElroy and a couple of his friends. This was TACs first key and it was manufactured sometime between 1944 and 1946. Cast into the underside of the base is the model number: CP500. This bug was used by the telegraph office in Ames Iowa.