GPO double current morse key. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

g0hze snowy · 24th May 2022, 10:46 am

Hi All, i picked up the above key at the recent rally near Luton, it seems to be picture 010 in Morsemad .com web site, possibly manufactured by H.WHITE in 1918 and is likely to be one destiny for the colonies as it is nickel plated, not steel as a magnet not attracted to it, please correct me if i am wrong. it is missing a few parts as well as some damage namely to the glass window, it would appear that a PO tried to lever it out with a screwdriver and chipped it badly ( is there a good chip on glass?).

It seems to be on a paxolin base but again if i am wrong please advise

I am looking for a knob ( wood, ebony or brass?), a replacement window, if nothing now available then i have to approach a firm than cut me some plate glass to the correct size.

Have ordered some brass BA size screws to replace the missing ones.

Any advice and help very much appreciated as usual.

Station X · 24th May 2022, 11:04 am

Here's the best link I can manage:-

http://morsemad.com/dc.htm

g0hze snowy · 24th May 2022, 11:49 am

Thanks Graham, i have that already, that is what i was able to ID it, have approached the local glass firm here and as it is so small they cant cut it to the size i need, 95mm.
I have now found that the metal IS brass but with a old lacquer coating, does anybody know of a sure fire way to remove that old coating without damaging the brass, the lacquer seems to have minute worm tracks under it!.

Station X · 24th May 2022, 12:01 pm

Try a horology forum. I'm sure they'll know where to get a new glass cut for a clock face.

Dave757 · 24th May 2022, 3:33 pm

Hi,

Unless the lacquer is in very poor condition or the metalwork corroded,
I would be hesitant to strip it and refinish it, as these keys are very collectible,
and the value could be impacted if the patina is disturbed.

The base is almost certainly bakelite.

Kind regards
Dave

Kind regards
Dave.

g0hze snowy · 24th May 2022, 3:55 pm

Hi Dave, thanks for your input. The finish is in poor condition hence my question about removing it and restoring the brass to a as new condition or as far as possible anyway.
OK on the 'collectable' bit, it will stay with me till i become either bored, broke or silent key then my boys can sort it out.
As John from morsemad.com stated, no spares available so it will not be original even when sorted, but hopefully it will looked the part
regards.
snowy g0hze

24th May 2022, 10:46 am	#1
g0hze snowy Hexode Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 336	GPO double current morse key. Hi All, i picked up the above key at the recent rally near Luton, it seems to be picture 010 in Morsemad .com web site, possibly manufactured by H.WHITE in 1918 and is likely to be one destiny for the colonies as it is nickel plated, not steel as a magnet not attracted to it, please correct me if i am wrong. it is missing a few parts as well as some damage namely to the glass window, it would appear that a PO tried to lever it out with a screwdriver and chipped it badly ( is there a good chip on glass?). It seems to be on a paxolin base but again if i am wrong please advise I am looking for a knob ( wood, ebony or brass?), a replacement window, if nothing now available then i have to approach a firm than cut me some plate glass to the correct size. Have ordered some brass BA size screws to replace the missing ones. Any advice and help very much appreciated as usual.

24th May 2022, 11:04 am	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: GPO double current morse key. Here's the best link I can manage:- http://morsemad.com/dc.htm __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

24th May 2022, 11:49 am	#3
g0hze snowy Hexode Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 336	Re: GPO double current morse key. Thanks Graham, i have that already, that is what i was able to ID it, have approached the local glass firm here and as it is so small they cant cut it to the size i need, 95mm. I have now found that the metal IS brass but with a old lacquer coating, does anybody know of a sure fire way to remove that old coating without damaging the brass, the lacquer seems to have minute worm tracks under it!.

24th May 2022, 12:01 pm	#4
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: GPO double current morse key. Try a horology forum. I'm sure they'll know where to get a new glass cut for a clock face. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

24th May 2022, 3:33 pm	#5
Dave757 Heptode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Scratby, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 650	Re: GPO double current morse key. Hi, Unless the lacquer is in very poor condition or the metalwork corroded, I would be hesitant to strip it and refinish it, as these keys are very collectible, and the value could be impacted if the patina is disturbed. The base is almost certainly bakelite. Kind regards Dave Kind regards Dave.

24th May 2022, 3:55 pm	#6
g0hze snowy Hexode Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 336	Re: GPO double current morse key. Hi Dave, thanks for your input. The finish is in poor condition hence my question about removing it and restoring the brass to a as new condition or as far as possible anyway. OK on the 'collectable' bit, it will stay with me till i become either bored, broke or silent key then my boys can sort it out. As John from morsemad.com stated, no spares available so it will not be original even when sorted, but hopefully it will looked the part regards. snowy g0hze