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BRITISH, NATO, AND AUSTRALIAN MILITARY TELEGRAPH KEYS - - - - (9001-9200)

(The instruments are in approximate chronological order: Oldest first.)
* = (Items no longer owned.) ** = (Items in other collections.)

9010 * BRITISH WW-I D MK III FIELD TELEGRAPH/TELEPHONE SET:(39KB) This early set has a small telegraph key as well as a head-size- adjustable handset AND an early style leather encased single headset. It has been suggested that this set was used by the artillery or the baloon corps since the leather encased earpiece seems to be an early attempt at sound reduction. The leather case is stamped: "R.STAFFORD, 1916". The inner brass case is stamped STERLING 47486 L III XX 1916. The set was phonetically nicknamed the "Don three star".

9020 * FULLERPHONE WW-I FIELD TELEGRAPH/TELEPHONE SET: (17KB) This interesting British WW-1 Field Telegraph set is labeled: W.D.S.F.-K FULLERPHONE, MARK III No. 11077. 1918. It is based on the design originated in 1915 by A.C. Fuller. This design used Direct Current telegraph signals which were impossible for the enemy to intercept and decode. The design allowed much better security than the American and other 'buzzer sets' which sent code signals in the form of AC buzzing voltages. The fullerphone decodes the D.C. voltages by using an interrupter and handset or earphones.
The set is contained in a canvas covered wooden box with brass trim. The telegraph key folds out and the telephone handset is adjustable from 6 to 9 inches (to accommodate different size heads of British soldiers?). It also contains a brass plate with a very early and FUNNY phonetic alphabet. For example: A=AC, B=BEER, F=FREDDIE, I=INK, M=MONKEY, N=NUTS, P=PIP, T=TOC, and Y=YORKER, etc. There is also a wiring diagram inside the cover.

9020a A closer view showing the adjustable handset:(18KB)

9020b A much closer view showing the folding telegraph key:(14KB)

9020c A view of the phonetic alphabet plate:(18KB)

9020d A view of the set with the cover closed:(19KB)

9040 1938 BRITISH ''DUMMY SIGNALLER'S KEY'':(20KB) This small key is inscribed with the amusing words: ''Key, Dummy Signaller's, MK II, 1938'' as though it was meant for use by signallers who were ''Dummies''. It has no electrical contacts whatsoever. It was actually designed to make the clicking sounds that are usually made by a sounder. It was used in training British soldiers to copy code by ear without the need for any electrical apparatus.

9060 * WW-II FIELD / TRAINING SET:(14KB) This set consisted of a key, battery, and buzzer. It was used for training soldiers in the code.

9080 * WW-II FULLERPHONE MK-V FIELD TELEGRAPH SET:(12KB) This set consisted of a key, battery, and buzzer. It was used for field communication over wires. This one is in a grey case. It is based on the design originated in 1915 by A.C. Fuller. This design used Direct Current telegraph signals which were impossible for the enemy to intercept and decode. The design allowed much better security than the American and other 'buzzer sets' which sent code signals in the form of AC buzzing voltages. The fullerphone decodes the D.C. voltages by using an interrupter and handset or earphones.

9080a A close view of the WT-8A key in the Fullerphone:(16KB)

9081 * WW-II FULLERPHONE MK-V FIELD TELEGRAPH SET:(16KB) Similar to number 9080 above but mounted in a black case.

9081a A close view of the WT-8A key in the Fullerphone:(16KB)

9100 INTERESTING BRITISH ELECTRICALLY- ACTIVATED TRAINING KEY:This key functions like a typical telegraph key but it also has two electromagnets that activate the key by pulling down on the lever. It is not clear how and where this key was used.

9110 BRITISH STRAP-ON-THE-LEG TELEGRAPH KEY FOR 48 RADIO SET:(37KB)This is a very nicely made flameproof military key designed for use in hazardous environments.

9110a Another view of the British Key:(47KB)

9112 BRITISH AIR MINISTRY KEY AND BUZZER TRAINING SET: This is a complete training set with telegraph key, buzzer, and battery holder all mounted on a board.

9114 * AUSTRALIAN BLUE POINT TELEGRAPH PRACTICE / TRAINING SET:(14KB) This set consisted of a key, battery, and buzzer. It was used for training potential radio operators in the Morse code. It was manufactured by Blue Point in the 1950's. Historian Herman Willemsen has provided the following information about Blue Point. The company was founded in the Sydney Australia suburb of Erksville in 1936 by a German immigrant, Frederick Boyd Dirks who named his company F. Dirks. The company produced bakelite products such as ashtrays, single strip heaters, and Morse key components. In 1946, the company name was changed to Blue Point products P/L. The name was inspired by the name "Blau Punkt", a German electrical supplier. In 1973, the company was purchased by Gerard Industries P/L (which was known for its line of Clipsal products). Blue Point keys were Identified by the words Blue and Point with a blue dot between them. Models X10B, XX20, XX20A, and XX20B are owned by Herman Willemsen.

9116 * BRITISH TELEGRAPH PRACTICE / KEY:(14KB) This key was used in conjunction with a buzzer and battery for training soldiers in the code.

9120 WW-II RAF BROWN ''BATHTUB KEY'': (13KB) This British Aircraft key was used on most of the RAF aircraft during WW-II. It is a BROWN bakelite bathtub-shaped key with a doorknob style knob. This is a flameproof design with a leather diaphram around the base of the knob. This key can instantly be set to send a constant transmitted carrier if the aircraft is going down by flipping a spring clip over the knob base. This freed the radio operator to try to escape.

9120a Inside view of the key with top open:(17KB)

9122 WW-II RCAF BLACK ''BATHTUB KEY'':(14KB) Same as above in black. (Black bathtub keys were made in Canada.)

9122a Inside view of the key with top open:(12KB)

9125 SMALL BRITISH MILITARY TELEGRAPH KEY: It is not known what radios this small open frame military key was used with. It is not even certain that it is British but the knob looks like many other British key knobs.

9125a Left side view of the Small British key:

9130 TINY SPECIAL FORCES NATO TELEGRAPH KEY:(5KB) This tiny 2-1/2" long, all-enclosed key with round knob was used by the special forces and carries a NATO codification number or stores number. It is labeled: KEY TELEGRAPH 5805-99-949-9618

9140 BRITISH "KEY. WT. 8 AMP" MILITARY KEYS: (20KB) This key (sometimes called the WT 8-Amp Key) was made in over 100 variations and used widely throughout WW-II. Some of the many variations are shown in the items below. This one is a small brass and black plastic integrated key with a small doorknob style knob. It is marked: KEY. WT. 8 AMP. No.2. MK III.

9141 Variation of the KEY WT 8 AMP Design:(22KB)

9142 Variation of the KEY WT 8 AMP Design:(20KB)

9143 Variation of the KEY WT 8 AMP Design:(21KB)

9143a Another view of number 9143:(16KB)

9143b Another view of number 9143 in a hand:

9145 Plastic variation of the KEY WT 8 AMP Design:(11KB)

9145a Another view of number 9145:(14KB)

9144 Variation of the KEY WT 8 AMP mounted alongside a terminal strip base:(20KB) This variation was used with 'Lamp, Signalling, Daylight, Short Range,' WW-2 version.

9155 * STRAP-ON-THE-LEG VERSION OF THE KEY WT 8 AMP KEY:(12KB)This is a KEY WT 8 AMP Key enclosed in a sheet metal case with two canvas leg straps to secure it to the leg of the radio operator. It was widely used in vehicles during WW-II.

9155a Another view of the strap-on-the-leg key with cover removed:(20KB)

9157 BRITISH ROYAL AIR FORCE (RAF) AIRCRAFT LIGHT SIGNALLING KEY:(12KB) This vertically-mounted key was used for flashing the upper and lower lights on British fighter aircraft during WW-II to allow communications between aircraft during periods of radio silence so that the enemy could not listen in to the radio communications. (It is similar to the Canadian Air Force key shown as item 9300.)

9157a Another view of the light signalling key:(12KB)

9158 * BRITISH ROYAL AIR FORCE (RAF) DUAL AIRCRAFT LIGHT SIGNALLING KEYS:(27KB) This vertically-mounted Panel contains two keys which could be switched into the aircraft lighting circuits of British WW-II bombers. The keys were used for flashing the upper and lower lights during periods of radio silence so that the enemy could not listen in to the radio communications.

9160 SOUTH AFRICAN KMK-2 MILITARY KEY:(19KB) Tiny straight key with tiny doorknob style knob enclosed in a flameproof olive-drab enclosure with round connectors on each side and two screw terminals on the back.

9164 REMOTE CONTROL UNIT L NO. 2 ZA 29007:(19KB) Tiny straight key with tiny doorknob style knob enclosed in a flameproof olive-drab enclosure with rectangular connectors on each side and two screw terminals on the left side. The canvas straps allowed it to be attached to the operator's leg. It was used with Wireless Sets number 62 and C12 from the 1940's through the 1960's.

9170 REMOTE CONTROL UNIT YA S414:(14KB) This is the familiar plastic version of the KEY, WT-8 AMP enclosed in a metal housing for use with a field radio. The housing is marked: UNIT OPERATOR, No. 1, MK II, YA S414.

9180 SPY KEYS: These are tiny 2 contact keys made to be built into spy radio sets. The knobs are similar to the 8Amp British keys-so origin is probably British. (See further descriptions under "Radio Keys".)

9185 * NATO KEY:(28KB) 7" Long lever key patterned after Ericsson design in 8x3x2-1/2" grey box. Labeled: NO No5803-99-580-8558, KEY TELEGRAPH. Ser. No. Pes1785 78.

9186 * NATO KEY:(8KB) Similar to 9195 above. 7" Long lever key patterned after Ericsson design in 8x3x2-1/2" grey box. Labeled: NS No5805-99-580-8888, KEY TELEGRAPH. FIL ZH Ser. No. 475.

9186a A view of the NATO KEY with cover open:(12KB)

9186b A view of the NATO KEY labels:(10KB)

9187 SWEDISH NATO KEY:(30KB) Small metal enclosed key with label that reads: Svenska Aktiebolaget Tradlos Telegrafi (Translated: Swedish Company Wireless Telegraphy). System Telefunken, Stockholm.

9188 SWEDISH NATO MILITARY KEY:(20KB) This is a moderately large Swedish Military Key with the bearingless design pioneered by the 19th Century Steiner key designs. The pivotless key uses just a flexible strip of metal to support and stabilize the lever and this eliminates any side-to-side movement of the lever.

9188a Aother view of the Swedish key:(23KB)

9190 * AUSTRALIAN CLIPSAL KEY:(55KB) This key was manufactured during and after WW-II by Gerard Industries. Collector John Kaesehagen of Adelaide, Australia was kind enough to send me this

9190a description of the company and some of its activities:(125KB) It is a LARGE file but interesting to read. John says that the name "Clipsal" was derived from: "Clips-all" which was a term used to describe the range of adjustable fittings for conduits that were manufactured by the company.

9190b The original guarantee supplied with the key:(65KB)

9195 * AUSTRALIAN Z1 STRAP-ON-THE-LEG "FLAMEPROOF" KEY:(44KB) This fairly recent military key has a very unusually shaped lever and the contacts are sealed inside a rubber boot to make it safer to use in explosive environments. Marked Z1/ZAA 7990 Key W/T (AUST) No.1 (Traded to W2PM).

NOTE: I AM ALWAYS LOOKING TO BUY OR TRADE TELEGRAPH KEYS !

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