Bunnell Telegraph Key - Early Landline Key w/Cast Iron Base on Wired Oak Board

Description

This listing is for a circa 1881, most probably an earlier 1870s, Landline Telegraph Key manufactured by the J.H. Bunnell Company. This is a straight key, with an oval cast iron base, flat steel lever, brass screw/nut fittings, and a flat bakelite knob. The Key is mounted on an oak board and is wired to two brass leads, situated at the top, front-end of the board. The cast iron base has the familiar, almost routine, shape of the brass Triumph design but is thicker, heavier, and requires board mounting to function - because there is no integral mount for the conical lever spring. The spring on this key mounts on a small brass cone (see photo) affixed to the wired Board. The Board sits on a triangle of three wood pads, one at the front and two at rear. These wood (or possibly hard fiber) pads are another key to early date, as they preceded soft fiber or hard rubber pads. The final feature on the board is a brass collared hole in front of the key’s base. This feature was used by operators to hang their keys on wall hooks when not in use. Based on manufacturer, early date, and condition - I am offering this unique early key at 0, shipped insured and protectively packed.
This exact key is pictured in photograph #1481 in the “POST - 1881 TELEGRAPH EQUIPMENT” section of Professor Thomas B. Perera’s general webpage -THE W1TP TELEGRAPH, SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT & RADIO MUSEUMS. This key and its identification can be found at this link , by scrolling to photo #1481. Professor Perera’s famed general Museum website is located at . The reason Perera’s verification is important is because this key’s cast iron base is painted in a thick, black, hard enamel-like paint - and no manufacturing markings, symbols, or model numbers are discernible. Additionally, neither the steel key lever or the oak board display any markings. There are two recessed circular areas on the base (see final two photos) that may have symbols, letters, or numbers. Or they may simply be pattern recesses for mounting screws or levers. There may be scholarship or history that would indicate where on the base, if present, Bunnell markings may be located. However - I have not touched or removed any of the black paint. My inspection was limited to unscrewing the key from the board for photography and to check the base’s bottom for markings. From the wear on one screw’s slot, this action had been performed previously. For any questions, please use “Contact Seller”.