AND MORE MARCONI KEYS?

So, here we are with another great Marconi Type 365A morse key with cover and all complete I received from England in 1997, my very first one. It was accompanied by an equally nice 365D. These were the first 365A & D keys I had ever seen. It was from a for sale ad in a magazine. They are a real treat to use, as all the Marconi marine keys are by design.

Finally here we are with my oldest favorite Marconi spark key with brass hardware on a wood base measuring about 9 inches long by 5 inches wide. I believe it is from the 1910 to 1914 year period. It is the same type of key used on the Carpathia(callsign MPA) by Harold Cottham. I say that because Harold himself held this very key in his hands and said so. This info passed on to me from the previous owner in England who was a good friend of Harold's for many years till his death in 1984 at age of 93. That doesn't give the key any more value but for me gives it a bit of extra interest. The knob and finger plate are actually from an old Air Ministry Type D key. This knob combination suited me better for looks than the one that came with it and another one. The label was missing so a very excellent machinist in England(Phil Boyle-G0NVT) made a nice one for the key. He also made some other parts for correctness and completeness, front contact set, two larger rear terminals, and two smaller terminals with flat spring contacts and a white plunger at the rear. So, this is how it is now, a real excellent old key that still works great.

This second photo is the same Marconi Spark key showing the brownish colored round shaped knob that came with it plus one added later then removed. Also shows the original two larger different type terminals that came on the key, plus the two smaller terminals with my home made flat spring contacts. I didn't bother showing the plunger made from a piece of Chinese chopstick super glued to the rear adjusting screw. Last are shown the two shiny nickel plated knurled nuts I used as a heavy contact set for the front, having nothing else to use, they actually worked quite good, but the new proper types on the key now are excellent.

This last photo is of the key as received before cleaning up and replacing some missing parts, etc.