Trying to identify a Morse Code key

[Retroradio]

The key is stamped France. Looks to be a sideswiper.
6” x3” x3” and weighs a good couple of pounds.
The base appears to be made from Bakelite.
Any Help on Maker, name, year etc... would be awesome!
Thanks all in advance.

 

[K4EET]

Retroradio, could you please post another photo with the Plexiglas cover removed? Thanks! Dave

 

[Retroradio]

K4EET,

Here is the pic as requeste. Hopefully it helps!

 

[K4EET]

Retroradio, I have not given up yet. I am talking to my CW buddies and asking them to show their CW buddies these pictures to see if this key can be positively identified. Could I trouble you one more time and ask for two more pictures?

1. Overhead shot looking straight down onto the key and possibly using a flash to better illuminate.
2. Underside shot looking straight up at the bottom of the key and possibly using a flash to better illuminate.

Where does the stamped name of "France" appear on the key? Is it stamped into the metal or Bakelite or is it stamped using ink and in what color?

Finally, have you tried contacting any of the Telegraph Key Museums that are found online?

I still hope to find somebody or some website that can identify the key for you.

Dave

 

[Retroradio]

Dave,
Many thanks for the effort! I looked around online and hit a dead end...
I haven’t cleaned it up yet so it’s a wee bit dusty.
Japan is on the Bakelite, My apologies as I had France in my brain from something else, this key is from Japan.

 

[vagrant]

I am pretty sure that is a Hi-Mound key, aka "coffin bug". I had to look up the Mfg. as I only know it as a coffin bug.

Here is a link to a picture without parts missing. It appears to be a Hi-Mound BK-100.

 

[K4EET]

Retroradio, not a problem. I love old telegraph keys and their histories. I wish I had the $$$s to collect them. All I can do is window shop and drool. LOL!

vagrant, thanks for the comment. One of my CW buddies said that name came to his mind but he was not positive. I did not want to say anything until I had a positive ID on this key. Do you happen to have an independent picture of the same key?

Dave

 

[K4EET]

vagrant, you got it! You edited the post as I was posting my question to you. LOL! Thanks for the link!

Retroradio, you might want to contact these folks if you would like to try to restore the bug. If they do not have all of the parts, they might be able to point you to another supplier of Hi-Mound parts.

Site Unavailable | WestHost

Those missing parts were what had me confused. I knew it was not a bug because it didn't have the pendulum for self-completing dits. Of course, I didn't think that pieces might be missing. Duh! Shame on me!

Dave

 

[vagrant]

vagrant, thanks for the comment. One of my CW buddies said that name came to his mind but he was not positive. I did not want to say anything until I had a positive ID on this key. Do you happen to have an independent picture of the same key?

If you perform a search using Google for "BK-100" you will see various results and the images appear to have all of the parts, whereas this key is missing things. I do not own one, but I have observed them come up for sale time to time on QRZ.com. With the nickname "coffin bug" and it's resemblance, it was easy to recognize. Without that top cover, I would not have known.

 

[Retroradio]

Awesome detective work Vagrant and Dave!

this is definitely the Hi-Mound BK-100, missing parts. I’ll go on the scrounge now to find them starting with the links provided. It’s a nice key, push comes shove I lol. Ill convert it to a sideswiper......gasp!
Think I’d prefer to restore it.

 

[K4EET]

Retroradio, that Hi-Mound link I gave above, if you scroll down a ways, you will see some parts for the BK100 key. I think if you contact them, they would be more than willing to help you find what you need. You might even ask if they have a parts list and an assembly drawing for that key. Have fun with your new project! Keep us posted!

Dave