Antique Telegraph Apparatus Co Chicago T.R McElroy 1944 Key Vintage

Description

Antique telegraph key
Antique Telegraph Apparatus Co Chicago T.R McElroy
About 8" overall
Base 4 x 6 1/2"
Plating loss, peeling, pitting, dirty
Not tested so sold as is  not working for decor
From the web:
Telegraph Apparatus Co. Chicago, Illinois. U.S.A. ( T.R. McElroy ) 1944-46  CP-810 Hole in the wall bug.
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS CO. This key was manufactured by one of Ted McElroy's companies. It is a chrome plated key with chrome plated, square cornered rectangular base.  TAC was a WWII Chicago partnership that included Ted McElroy and a couple of his friends. The company made two models of bugs, which were advertised from 1944 through 1946. One was the "hole in the wall" type that came as the model 510 (standard, painted base) and the model 810 (deluxe, with chrome base). The other bug was similar to the Vibroplex Original style, and used a cast base like that on the McElroy P-500. This was offered as the model CP500 (standard, with painted base) and CP800 (deluxe, with chrome base