22-08-2018, 08:20 PM
Yes, I have also heard about polishing things up destroys the value, but the key was pretty grubby, and not very attractive as it was. Incidentally, it is very heavy and weighs almost a kilo. I am quite sure that it is a home-made affair that was never actually finished and used. The lower contact on the front did not connect anywhere. I placed a brass strip (5 'thou thick) across under the back bridge, and the contact went through a hole in it, secured by a nut. The bridge contacted the brass strip very firmly via its securing screws underneath. The two connections are via either of the side terminals on the pivot unit, and the one on the side of the front bridge. The top contact does not connect electrically with the bridge, but goes through a large hole in it, and is tapped into the main shaft. It has a very nice movement, and the "feel" of it is excellent. Although I am quite competant at morse (31 years as merchant navy radio officer), I am not a radio amateur or anything like that, so I will not be using it for sending morse (apart from amusing myself if I feel like it), so it is more of a "keepsake ornament" in memory of old times. When I found it, he wanted £20 for it, but when I declined, he suggested £15, that I also declined, saying I would give him £10 for it, and no more - and he accepted. But I do like it.
Bob
Bob
