Adding keys
Today, I received a parcel from the past. Not that it took a long time to arrive, but my collection of Morse keys has grown, again. This time, a Model D key used by the RAF up to and through WW2, which makes it older than anyone in this house. Including the dog, possibly.
Some time ago (try back in the ‘70s) I discovered that there were real differences in keys, and started collecting from the castoffs of friends and the back of surplus stores. This is a very slow, inefficient way to find things, believe me. I did find one really good key (still using it) in the rear room at radio school, but I had to wait for eBay before I could dream big.
This year, I managed to get two of my “wants”; the Model D mentioned above, and a Marconi 365FZ, pried from the greedy hands of folks in England. I’m happy, and they’ve been paid. Fair trade. So, here are a couple of pics, taken from the web where everything is cleaner and shinier.
Do these keys improve my “fist”? Not a lot. It’s just that the availability of something like this decreases as time goes by. They aren’t using Morse in the real world, so the workhorse keys are now collection pieces. Do I have others on my list? Not many. I did take the time to peruse the various collection catalogue out there, and I don’t need a roomful of J-38 variations, or the definitive WT8 inventory. I want variety, and I want pieces that reflect what were actually used AND appreciated. If you have a spare McElroy teardrop, shed it for me.
