I acquired this morse key about 25 years ago. A few years ago Bob VE3DUB (SK) made a nice oak base for it and put a knob on it. At that time he told me it was a very rare key. There are two marks on it – the initials GNW and 1795 – as seen below.
Links:
J.H. Bunnell and Co. Telegraph Apparatus
9 comments:
I never seen this key before, even nothing similar. Congratulations, it is real treasure!
Hi Andy, thanks for the comment about this key. I am still investigating trying to identify it. Thanks for reading my blog OM.
I've asked Valery, UA3AO - he is an expert. Hope that he'll help a lot.
Thanks for your help Andy. Much appreciated!
Well, I got the answer about this pretty key.
Valery writes that in 1880's The Western Union Telegraph Co of the U.S. sometimes used a "GNW" mark and that meant "Global NetWork".
"1795" is, exactly, L795 - model index.
That's all. So funny to know that our lovely internet is neither only, nor first Global Network in history :)
GNW is the Great NorthWestern Telegraph Company It was taken over by Western Union on the 1880's. In this case, the "great Northwest" refers to the the North West of Ontario. If memory is correct, the HQ of GNW was in Ottawa.I have a GNW telegraph register and relay but no key. Google Great NorthWestern Telegraph and you will get many hits---mainly legal proceedings but some company history. cheers, David.
Would you be willing to part with this key. I offer $500 US
Thank you, David.
I might David. How would you pay for it?
I might David. How would you pay for it?
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