KT5X Morse Code Key Collection
N6WU Memorial

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N6WU, Kerry Freeman (sk), was an avid Vibroplex restorer and collector, as well as a true CW enthusiast. The keys below represent a small portion of his collection and are displayed here in his memory. Images and text by N6WU.


1912 Original
1912 Original

B-3 Plate, 5 lines, 3 patent dates with others pending. This key came from the collection of Curt, KD7FY. Curt swapped keys with the original owner, a railroad telegrapher know as Sprikles who worked on an Oregon Railroad.

1916 Original
1916 Original

C-1 Plate, 5 Patent Numbers Old commercial key, a hole appears in the base where a screw was used to hold it to a bench. Circus closer is a flat bar with a vertical knob.

1918 Original
1918 Original

C-2 Plate, 10 Patent Numbers Old commercial key, a hole appears in the base where a screw was used to hold it to a bench. Circus closer is bent bar with a horizontal finger knob.

1919 Original
1919 Original

C-2 Plate, 10 Patent Numbers Circuit closer is a bent bar with the finger knob.

1920 Original
1920 Original

D-2 Plate, 7 Patent Numbers The plate and the serial number do not match on this key. The plate has been overstruck at some point making it impossible to correctly date.

1921 Original
1921 Original

D-2 Plate, 7 Patent Numbers 1921 was the first production year of the improved lever.

1926 Original
1926 Original

D-2 Plate, 7 Patent Numbers First year plate displayed the 796 Fulton Street address.

1941 Original
1941 Original

D-4 Plate, 6 Patent Numbers Probably the first run of the gold painted tin plate, a pre-wartime reduction in the use of brass.

1942 Original
1942 Original

D-5 Plate, 6 Patent Numbers, Other Patents Pending, 833 Broadway. Gold painted tin plate, not brass.

1945 Original
1945 Original

D-5 Plate, 6 Patent Numbers, Other Patents Pending, 833 Broadway. Gold paint nearly worn off tin plate, not brass.

1947 Original
1947 Original

D-6 Plate, Patented, 833 Broadway. First year of the re-designed frame and damper to the rounded top style.

1952 Original
1952 Original

D-6 Plate, Patented, 833 Broadway.

1954 Original
1954 Original

D-6 Plate, Patented, 833 Broadway. Gray Crackle painted base.

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