Editor’s Note: I have seen an uptick in the number of Bunnell Gold Bugs that have appeared for sale on eBay. The Bunnell Gold Bug registry will record serial number of existing known Gold Bug semi-automatic keys. If you own a Gold Bug, I invite you to register your key’s serial number here. If you prefer not to have your name or call indicated, let me know. I will link each serial number to a photo of the key if I have one (photos open in a new tab). Thanks & 73 – Jim KY4Z.
BUNNELL GOLD BUG SERIAL NO. LIST
(Last update April 7, 2021)
Gold Bug No. 92 – observed on eBay April 2021. No label, complete, with BIN of $750.
Gold Bug No. 230 – spotted in Sept. 2012 Youtube video by Fabio, IK0IXI. (Feb. 2017)
Gold Bug No. 313 – Tom Perera’s W1TP Telegraph Museum, www.w1tp.com
Gold Bug No. 333 – Christian, F9WT
Gold Bug No. 429 – Observed on the Telegraph Keys website 1/2020.
Gold Bug No. 439 – As found condition, missing the adjustable part of the weight and the Gold Bug nameplate. KY4Z collection.
Gold Bug No. 443. AA4MX website.
Gold Bug No. 477 – As found original condition, with original wedge cord and case, with original instruction sheet. Very nice original condition find. KY4Z Collection, purchased Jan. 10, 2020 on eBay.
Gold Bug No. 504 – DL9GDB collection (as found). Restored condition. (Feb. 2017).
Gold Bug No. 602 – Appears to be in clean, original condition with logo. Fixed paddle. KY4Z collection.
Gold Bug No. 615 – NN8B via W8KJP.
Gold Bug No. 624 – N4LQ on YouTube video (linked here).
Gold Bug No. 797 – Tom Perera’s W1TP Telegraph Museum, www.w1tp.com (Feb. 2017)
Gold Bug No. 823 – As found original condition, with Gold Bug logo. Adjustable paddle. Dot contact is on the wrong side of the keying lever. eBay, Feb. 2017. Youtube video here. Returned to eBay, June 2019, Eureka, Calif. seller.
Gold Bug No. 841 – AA4MX website.
Gold Bug No. 917 – Cleaned, complete, with Gold Bug logo. Adjustable paddle. eBay, Feb. 2017.
Gold Bug No. 918. – Original patina; unique square base that looks original. KY4Z Collection, purchase on eBay Oct. 2017.
Gold Bug No. 939 – observed on eBay, Feb. 2015. Broken paddle. Owned by AA4MX, observed on his website Jan. 2020.
Gold Bug No. 968 – Observed on the Telegraph Office website.
Gold Bug No. 1068 – WP3DX website. Polished and nice. Observed 1/2020.
Gold Bug No. 2000 – Highest serial number I’ve have heard about. Reported by VE1BAB.
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