VINTAGE ARGONNE AR-323 TELEGRAPH KEY & BUZZER PRACTICE SET JAPAN LAFAYETTE MINTY

Description

Offered is this near mint Argonne AR-323 telegraph key and buzzer in its original box. This was made in Japan in the 50s or early 60s, and was most likely sold by Lafayette Radio. The key and buzzer are mounted on a black Bakelite base, and a holder is provided for a D-cell battery.  In operation, you can hear the buzzer, or attach headphones to the terminals, and hear it that way. With a minor mod, you can rewire it so that the key terminals go right to the binding posts, so you can operate an external sounder or transmitter that way.
The box measures about 9 by 3 by 1-1/2 inches.
It is in working condition, but the adjustment of the buzzer is touchy. It should be ok upon receipt, but you might need to tweak it a bit. My biggest gripe with this and similar keys is that the spring is too strong for comfortable use, so I am including a lighter substitute spring (last picture) which can be used instead.
The box is nearly perfect, but there's a stock number written on one end. The base is free of cracks or chips, and the plating on the metal parts is very nice. The battery that was installed when I got this is included. It matches the age of the key, and is great for display.  It's dead of course, but it never leaked.
Thank you for looking!