Military/Naval Keys
U.S. Army
Follow this link for the J-38 page.
Go to U.S. Navy keys.
(Click on the pictures to see additional images.)
J-3
U.S. Army WWI spark key called the "trench key." The knurling and binding posts indicate that it was made by L.S. Brach Mfg. Co. of Newark, NJ. This was part of a field set and the lever folds to allow it to fit into the set. Marking: 3A
0131
J-5-A
"J-5 flameproof keys were made by several companies including General Radio, Western Electric, Connecticut Telephone, and L.S. Brach. All but Brach are scarce, but even with that maker there are scarce variations." (From artifaxbooks.com.)
SIGNAL CORPS, U.S. ARMY
FLAME PROOF KEY J-5-A
ORDER NO.2670 NY 41
MADE BY
L.S. BRACH MFG. C0.
NEWARK NJ
0082
J-5-A
SIGNAL CORPS, U.S. ARMY
FLAME PROOF KEY J-5-A
ORDER NO.406 WFSCPD. 42
MADE BY
J.H.BUNNELL&CO.N.Y.
(WFSCPD = Wright Field Signal Corps Procurement District,
Dayton, OH)
0087
J-7-A
Signal Corps key with a "winker light" on a phenolic base. This one was made by L.S. Brach Mfg. Co., Newark, NJ in 1921. These keys were used in aircraft during and after World War I. The light, connected in parallel with the key contacts, provides feedback to the operator in the noisy environment. The embossed cover plate reads:
FLAME PROOF KEY
TYPE J-7-A
DATE 1921.ORDER NO. 141082
MFG. BY
L.S.BRACH MFG.CO.
NEWARK, N.J.
0164
J-36
Lionel made this key for the Signal Corps during WWII, possibly under contract from Vibroplex as it is based on the Lightning Bug. Many of the celluloid nameplates did not survive and the one on this key is a replica. The speed weight appears to be a replacement. (Restoration was done by the seller.)
0131
J-37
This key would have been used in the AN/GSC-T1 code training set. The cutouts in the Bakelite base are for wrapping the key's cable around it for storage.
0096
J-38
I've put the J-38 keys on their own page. Click here.
J-41-A
This key was used in the TG-5B field set.
The wire terminals are:
- Front right, front (NO) anvil contact
- Rear left, back (NC) contact
- Rear right, main lever (common)
0157
J-44
This is an E.F. Johnson J-37 on a J-44 base. The VOICE/TELEG switch functions much as the circuit closing lever on landline keys did. It was used with radio sets SCR-178 and SCR-179 (BC-187).
0168
J-45
This is a J-37 mounted on a leg clamp for use in aircraft in WWII. It has its original CD-201-A cable terminated in a Kings PL-055 B plug. The lever is stamped: WINSLOW TELE-TRONICS INC, 66150. The number 66150 is the Federal Supply Code (FSC) for Winslow Teletronics.
0161
J-46
Purchased from Tom French at artifaxbooks.com. His description, "This rare [WWII] hand key is a simple strap key on a 2x4" [5x10cm] Bakelite base. It was part of the Signal Corps EE-84 portable field signal lamp set which includes the M-132 Signal Light. It is one of the very few Signal Corps keys that does not have its J-type nomenclature marked on it." You can see the red Signal Corps stamp on the base.
Upon cleaning, I found the remnants of printing on the strap. Between the bend and the center screw is the letter W. Between the screw and the knob, the letters look like CO. The captive-nut wiring posts are identical to the ones used on a J-38 made by The Winslow Company.
0163
J-47
The J-47 was used with various radios and signal lamps. It is a J-37 mounted on an engraved base.
0165
J-48-A
This is the key that clips inside the cover of the BC-654 receiver-transmitter (part of SCR-284). The base is stamped J-48-A (under the knob). It consists of a hand key with skirted knob, on an aluminum base with an aluminum cover. This one is the scarce brass key, but the cover is missing.
0169
U.S. Navy
CLT-26001B
WWII-era nickel-plated brass, closed circuit key made by Lundquist Tool & Manufacturing Co., of Worcester, MA. Lever is stamped C.L.T., 26001-B
0160
CTE-26003A
These WWII flame proof keys were apparently modeled after a German Luftwaffe key. This one was manufactured by Telephonics Corporation.
0171
CMI-26003A
Manufacutred by Molded Insulation.
0077
CJB-26003A
Manufacutred by J.H. Bunnell & Co. This one has its original cable.
0083
CLT-26012B
WWII-era open circuit key made by Lundquist Tool & Manufacturing Co., of Worcester, MA. Note the slot to accept a Vibroplex wedge. Also, the left trunnion is marked GND and has a grounding screw.
0162
CAPH-26012B
Same as the previous one. This one was made by Telegraph Apparatus Co. of Chicago, IL.
0172
CJB-26021
Made after 1918 by J.H. Bunnell & Co., this is an open-circuit key. The wooden base has been split by the cable clamp screw. It has its original cable and PL-55 plug.
0158