This is a very unique, one-of-a-kind telegraph key. What makes it unique is the custom artistry that I have personally applied to it. Most of the Vibroplex keys you will find out there will have a solid color base, usually black, sometimes grey, tan or blue. This key originally had a black base on it. I purchased it from another collector without a nameplate or serial number and the key was covered in many decades of filth and crud. I have spent a very long time working with this key on and off over the past year or more. I wanted to do something "special" with it since it did not have the identifying markers that could be used to determine precisely how old it was. So, I set out to give the base a custom, red, white & blue billowing American flag paint job. The paint was applied with the help of an airbrush and custom templates that I cut by hand from a photograph of an actual flag. Touch-ups were made with brushes and sponges and the entire project was sealed in a matte clear lacquer.

While the actual manufacturing date of this key is not known, my experience restoring other similar keys tells me that this key has the hardware that was most commonly used in the 1920's models of the Vibroplex Original.

I had to rebuild parts of this key from newer components due to the age of existing parts and damage found. I also converted the trunnion support from a standard to a jeweled type for added speed and smoothness of operation. In addition, the finger and thumb pieces are new, along with the contact strips, insulators and feet. All the remaining hardware (apart from a few screws) are original to the key and have been meticulously cleaned and restored to full operation.

I have tested this key and it is fully functional. Operation is very smooth and it has a good feel to it. It comes with two speed weights, but could probably use some more as it is a very fast key. If you are a beginner, I would seriously consider adding weights to the vibrating shaft, or purchasing a "vari-speed" attachment to tame this one down to a beginner's level. Questions and comments are always welcome. I ship worldwide.*

*Buyers outside of the USA: please note that the postage amount you see in this listing or in my quote DOES NOT include customs fees and VAT (value-added tax). These will be your responsibility upon receipt should they apply.

RH00041