Vintage J H Bunnell Telegraph Key Morse Code Device on Bronze Brass Base

Description: Vintage J H Bunnell Telegraph Key Morse Code Device on Bronze Base. The base is non-magnetic and assumed brass or bronze, it measures 2 1/8" x 3 3/8". The side of the nickel plated piece is marked J H Bunnell & Co. New York. Untested, looks fine, has a nice aged patina - see detailed photos. We recently acquired a large collection of old telegraph equipment. J.H. Bunnell & Company was formed in 1878 by Jesse Bunnell, who had a long history (even at that time) in the telegraph world. The company was located in and around New York City but changed locations fairly often for various reasons. Bunnell, before WWII, was the largest supplier of telegraphic equipment. There were various owners after Jesse Bunnell's death but the company did continue on with other owners. Bunnell was sold to INSO Electronic Products in 1960 and then to it's current owners, MNJ Industries, in 1989.In 1919, Bunnell introduced a large base radio hand key that was called the Straight Line Radio Key. This large version had a set of auxiliary contracts that closed with the key lever up and opened with the key lever down, or, the opposite of the sending contacts. Also available was the "short base" version with the auxiliary contacts removed and the key itself mounted on a "short" base. Although possessing 3/8" contacts, the Radio Key was probably intended for smaller spark transmitters or vacuum tube transmitters. This style Straight Line Radio Key was available through the twenties and into the early thirties. The base is hard rubber. There are two versions of the Straight Line Radio Key. One version has the upper contact position adjustable. Some keys will have the upper contact non-adjustable and the lower contact adjustable from underneath the key base.

Price: 45 USD

Location: Weymouth, Massachusetts

End Time: 2024-09-19T17:19:04.000Z

Shipping Cost: 10.6 USD