Today's mail brought proof that impulsive actions don't always bring poor results.
Last Thursday an eBay seller posted a 1944 Vibroplex Original key for auction. I've got plenty of wartime keys, so why look at another? This one included the carrying case and apparently, the key spent most of its life inside the case.
The photos looked excellent, and the description matched what I saw. The seller had good feedback and would refund the purchase price if the key wasn't all he said it was. No “as-is, where-is” with this seller. The key looked too good to be true, and the buy it now price was reasonable. I couldn't resist.
The key arrived today by Priority Mail, and I was pleased the box didn't rattle. Once inside, the seller had packed the key in the case, and then added extra padding inside the key case to keep the pendulum from banging around — a very good idea.
Once I got the key out of the case, you could almost hear Horace G. Martin leading the choir of angels singing a long, harmonious “aaaaaahhhh!”
The sight before me was amazing — a WWII key in absolutely pristine condition. I do a lot of blathering on about the keys I get, but this one tops them all, or most of them. It is in absolutely new condition. It really looks it did 63 years ago — only the case shows six decades of wear.
The key certainly doesn't show wear. Heck it doesn't even show dust. The chrome plated parts don't show a scratch or flaw.
The most impressive part of this key is the ID tag. This key has the tin ID tag, and its absolutely flawless. Having seen so many with paint flaking off or even rust and corrosion, seeing one in as-new condition is impressive. Not only did this key stay in its carrying case, but it probably stayed in a nice safe, dry place.
This one is a keeper, for sure. At some point I'll cull out the keepers and sell the surplus. Or maybe I should sell the best and use the money to help fund a new Icom IC-7700? First, I would will fund installation of my tower, along with a tri-bander and 6-meter yagi.
Enough for now. 73.