Today the mailman brought the two keys I mentioned in my last post — the “parts” Vibroplex bug and the Vibroplex Presentation.
The “parts” bug apparently had been disassembled and the base repainted black before it was reassembled. Somewhere along the way, some parts disappeared. Hence the “parts” key reference. In reality, the key was no where near being solely a parts key, partly because it came with a secret — it wasn't just a run-of-the-mill Vibroplex Original. No, this key is a much rarer 1921 Vibroplex Junior key.
The Junior was produced for many years and wasn't always identified as a separate model. The Junior has a 3-inch base, which is a half-inch narrower than the standard Original. It used all the usual Original parts. The key that arrived today had the Vibroplex ID tag, but it was not riveted in place. And apparently in the past the ID tag had been pinned in place in the incorrect position on this key.
The “hump” on the ID tag on a regular Original faces the terminal screws. On a Junior, they had to rotate the tag 180 degrees, and the “hump” faces the dot contact post on the key's left side. The placement of the feet on a Junior is different as well. Instead of having a foot at each front corner of the key (as is the case with the Original), the feet are staggered. There's a foot on one front corner, then a second is about two inches back from the front corner on the opposite side. The rear foot is in the middle.
As advertised, the key was incomplete. It didn't have the correct feet, only clear vinyl round stick-on feet. There were no connecting straps underneath to connect the “hot” terminal to the dot and dash contact posts. On top, the key is missing the circuit closer, the lock nut on the upper pinion screw, and the little wheel on the damper. And of course, the finger and thumb piece were missing.
Using some spare parts, I fabricated one of the connecting straps, added finger and thumb pieces and the lock nut on the uppper pinion screw. The little wheel on the damper I've not added. I have a complete damper I could swap out, but I don't know that I want to pull it off a very nice complete damper. I can buy a new damper wheel, but it will obviously look like a new replacement.
On pre-1940 keys, the bright metal parts were nickel plated rather than chrome. Nickel plating is much greyer looking, and chrome parts nearly glow in comparison. I'm pretty tickled with the new Junior, particularly given the low price I paid and the fact its a rarer Junior — a fact that I didn't realize until it arrived today.
The plating on the damper and the frame show the wear typical of a key that worked for a living. Any late-model parts I add will be very obvious, but should that matter? It might if I try to sell it, but that's simply something I can disclose — even if its obvious.
I get a lot of satisfaction from putting these “parts” keys on the air. I've got a little work on this one yet, but is very close.
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1951 VIBROPLEX PRESENTATION. Fortunately there were no surprise with the Presentation key. It arrived just as it appeared in the eBay listing. I've not tried it on the air yet, I've been futzing with the Junior in my free time. A new Presentation key is $300, and there's not much chance I'll go buy one. The older Presentation keys like this one have the adjustable mainspring — a feature that disappeared on the Presentation when the company was moved from New York to Maine. In fact, the only thing separating the DeLuxe and the Presentation is the gold -plated brass plate. You can add one to your DeLuxe for $70 or add that much to the price of a new DeLuxe and have it assembled that way.
The plain-Jane Original in standard trim is still a very attractive key — with black textured finish and chrome plated parts, I have no doubt the keys sold today will last as long as any of the older keys I have now.
That's it for this trip. More to report soon …. 73 …