Today's mail contained a semi-automatic bug that I've been waiting a while to get. No, no, this isn't an ultra-rare, high dollar, near-mint jewel that collectors across the world were lusting for. It's a well-worn bug manufactured by The Telegraph Apparatus Co. of Chicago.
This was a company that was owned by CW operator extraordinaire Ted McElroy. Mac (as her preferred to be called) had his successful line of Mac-Keys from 1934 to the start of World War II.
With the war, Mac's company devoted itself solely to the war effort (as did many companies). One of his company's specialties was high speed radiotelegraphy equipment, which he helped pioneer for the military.
Mac and Bill Halligan were apparently in a partnership of sorts in the Telegraph Apparatus Co., a company that manufactured bugs and other products. The company began about 1942, and continued on after the war for a time.
The key that arrived today is one of these TAC bugs. These bugs, due to their construction, were frequently known as the “Hole In The Wall” bugs.
These keys are built from machined parts rather than castings, so I suspect that was a big help in their manufacture.
As you can see from the photo, the key I bought off eBay was not a mint example. It's dirty and the chrome base has some flaws. The good part is that it is complete and has mostly original parts (the funky looking thumb piece is a homebrewed one). The price on this one was just too good to pass up (the cost of a movie out with the family plus popcorn).
The seller packed the key in shredded paper, and it was clunking around in the box when my daughter brought it from the mailbox. She already knew from experience (and my frequenty complaints) that a rattling box is not a good sign.
Fortunately, the key was intact. The seller had wrapped it securely in a cocoon of foam rubber, so that bundle was what was thumping around in the box.
I spent about an hour this evening working on the key. It has a lot of accumulated dust on the screws and adjustments where apparently they sat for many years untouched. The chrome parts need polish and better cleaning. It needs disassembling, but not today.
I cleaned the contacts, which are coin silver, but were totally black and tarnished. A little Tarn-X works wonders. After some initial clean-up and adjustment, the key really plays nicely. I had my doubts about it when I won the auction.
It will never be an Antiques Roadshow item, but it might make a good “daily driver” key for the desk. Of course, that means I'll have to push another key off the desk to do that. I've got my 1920 Vibroplex Blue Racer that's not been used in months, it might be a good candidate for “the case.”
It's late and I need my sleep. Enough bug talk for now.
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