Rare Brass J.H. Bunnell Victor Legged Knife Edge Trunnion Telegraph Key

Description

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Here is a special one out of the vault! Several years back I bought over a dozen keys to get this one. This key is a very rare Victor made under contract by J.H. Bunnell. The key is based on the patent of the American E.M. Hamilton. An elegant design, that was used to success in numerous period telegraphy speed competitions.
This example comes with an
additional
arm as pictured! The key includes it's original spring. Measures 5 1/2" in length. It is sadly missing its'
circuit
closer strap, but a replacement could easily be made.
Roger Reinke in his 1996 article on uncommon knife edge keys: "Simplicity is Strength, Complexity is Fatal!" (available via the excellent resource www.telegraphy.eu)
notes that Jesse H. Bunnell was one of the only American makers known to incorporate the knife edge pivot outside of
L. G. Tillotson, and
E.S Greeley.
He describes this Bunnell production of an already rare design as: "very limited".
The first of the Victor keys based on the patent of E. M. Hamilton
were made by L. G. Tillotson, and exhibited a
problem, the knife edge pivot could slip slightly to either side so that the contact points were out of alignment. This was remedied in later production by the addition of a small steel pin in one side of the pivot between the lever and its' support. Curiously the rare Victor-J.H. Bunnell iteration of the design being offered in this listing features a clever, if no doubt expensive to manufacture, solution: an additional "step" half way along the length of the knife edge pivots that allows for them to register along side their corresponding knife edge supports, and rule out the possibility of slippage.
Add this rare and innovative piece of early American telegraph technology to your historic telegraphy, or American electrical technology collection, and perhaps put this fine old key back to use!
Buy with confidence. Old York
Estates is a regular contributor to American Antique and collector publications,
a member of the American Institute for Conservation,
and is an established dealer in objects
from some of Toronto's best estates.
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Returns:
We make every effort to describe all of our items in detail and try to find and sell high quality pieces. However, any item may be returned within 14 days of receipt
if the item does not match our description
. Buyers must pay all postage. Items must be received by us in the same condition as originally shipped before a refund will be made.