LIGHT AND VISUAL SIGNALING TELEGRAPH SETS
W1TP TELEGRAPH AND SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT MUSEUMS: http://w1tp.com

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LIGHT AND VISUAL SIGNALING TELEGRAPH SETS - - - - (9751 - 9800)

These sets were used for the visual transmission of Morse Code.

(The instruments are in approximate chronological order: Oldest first.)
* = (Items no longer owned.) ** = (Items in other collections.)


4090 * {Duplicated from the Spark and Wireless Keys Page.} LARGE BRITISH WIRELESS & LIGHT KEY: (44KB) This key was used for blinking the lights on Navy vessels and frequently as a wireless key. It has heavy brass parts and an

4090a * the unusual cam operated shorting switch.(45KB)

4090b * The same type and model of key recovered from a SHIPWRECK. Picture sent to me by another collector.


9762 * EARLY WW-I LIGHT SIGNALING SET: This highly portable set consists of a battery box, a telegraph key, and a signal light. It was designed for operation in hostile environments. The photograph was sent to me by another collector.


9770 * EARLY BRITISH "ALDERSHOT" LIGHT AND BUZZER SET: This set was designed to send a light signal and/or operate a buzzer when the telegraph key was pressed. It is labeled: THE ALDERSHOT SIGNALLING INSTRUCTOR. J.H.Steward, 403 Strand, London. These photographs were sent to me by another collector.

9770a Another view of the Aldershot set:

9770b Another view of the Aldershot set:

9770c The Instructions on the base of the Aldershot set:


3320 * {Duplicated from the Code Practice Sets section.} EARLY METAL TOY "FLERON" TELEGRAPH PRACTICE SET:(43KB) This is the hard-to-find early metal version of the popular plastic Fleron telegraph practice sets which were widely distributed for help in learning the Morse code and which are shown in number 3322 below. The key lever shape and spring on this device are quite unique. The spring is the small flat strap on top of the lever and the spring tension is adjusted by changing the tension on the strap by turning the screw which passes through it. The label carries the International Morse Code and indicates that it was manufactured by: M. M. Fleron and Son, Inc. of Trenton, NJ. USA.


3322 * {Duplicated from the Code Practice Sets section.} PLASTIC TOY BOXED "FLERON SIGNALER":(19KB) These code practice sets were widely used by many groups teaching the morse code including the ''Boy Scouts''. They were also sold as toys. This one is new in its original box. It is made of brown plastic and includes a simple strap key, buzzer, light, and listing of the International Morse Code. It uses 2 "D" cells. The original instruction booklet was also found in the box.


3332 * {Duplicated from the Code Practice Sets section.} TOY "WESTERN ELECTRIC STANDARD RADIO TELEGRAPH SIGNAL SET":(19KB) This blue painted toy set has the morse code on the front and a simple strap key, light, and internal buzzer. It uses 2 standard "D" batteries.


3475 * {Duplicated from the Code Practice Sets section.} TOY "TWIN NAVY BLINKER CODE LITE":(28KB) Two signal lights are included in this original-boxed set made by Hasbro. Each lite is a plastic "gun" which has a compass in its handle and accepts one "D" cell to flash its 1-1/2 volt bulb. When the trigger is pressed triple shutters in front of the bulb open at the same time that the bulb goes on. Traded to Wyn Davies.

3475b A view inside the original box:(24KB)

3475b A view of the two signal lights:(15KB)


8240 * {Duplicated from the American Military Keys section.} FLAME PROOF KEY AND WINKER: (34KB) Type C.Q.1140 Serial No. (blank) mfg by INTERNATIONAL RADIO TELEGRAPH COMPANY. This set consists of a flameproof key similar to the J-5-A mounted on a black bakelite base along with a metal- enclosed light socket. I have been told that this set was used in aircraft to give the radio operator visual feedback when he pressed the key to overcome the high noise levels in early aircraft. Socket missing.


8380 {Duplicated from the American Military Keys section.} MILITARY LIGHT SIGNALLING KEY J-46: (14KB) Very unusual small rectangular based strap type key in original 1942 box. Used for light signalling. Mfg by Winslow.
NOTE: The Navy Code designation for the Winslow Company is CAKU.


8540 {Duplicated from the American Military Keys section.} MILITARY SIGNAL LIGHT KEY J-51:(34KB) This is a hard-to-find key which consists of two strips of metal which are held in the hand like a gun or scissors, and brought together to make contact and send a light signal with an external light gun. The key and light gun and tripod and other accessories and carrying cases constitute the SE-11 Signalling set. The key is supplied with a long wire cord so that the operator can stand FAR away from the light gun while sending signals. The light gun is obviously a tempting target for any enemy and therefore the long cord was literally a life-saver. Most of these keys are painted olive drab and engraved J-51. Other models are painted black.

8540a The J-51 Key with Original Packing and long cord and pictures of complete SE-11 setup:(30KB)

8540b The technical manual illustrations of the complete SE-11 set:(38KB)

8540c All of the individual parts of the SE-11 Light Signalling kit laid out on a table:(31KB)

8540d Two of the carrying bags for SE-11 Light Signalling kits laid out on a table:(27KB)
8542, 8544, 8546. * Same as above.
8550, 8552. * Same as above but black.


8810 * {Duplicated from the American Military Keys section.} LARGE NAVY FLAMEPROOF LIGHT SIGNALING KEY:(10KB) This huge key was used for keying the external lights on a Navy ship. Its contacts that are enclosed in a large metal drum to ensure that any sparks made by the contacts will not cause an explosion. The label reads: MIL-C- 24174/3-001 SIB. Date of Manufacture, 1977.

8810a Another view of the flameproof key:(11KB)

8810b A close view of the telegraph key lever:(15KB)

8810c A view of the spark suppressing network inside the key:(21KB)

8810d Another view inside the key showing the contacts:(17KB)


9157 {Duplicated from the British etc. Military Keys section.} BRITISH ROYAL AIR FORCE (RAF) AIRCRAFT LIGHT SIGNALLING KEY:(12KB) This vertically-mounted key was used for flashing the upper and lower lights on British fighter aircraft during WW-II to allow communications between aircraft during periods of radio silence so that the enemy could not listen in to the radio communications. (It is similar to the Canadian Air Force key shown as item 9300.)

9157a Another view of the light signalling key:(12KB)


9158 * {Duplicated from the British etc. Military Keys section.} BRITISH ROYAL AIR FORCE (RAF) DUAL AIRCRAFT LIGHT SIGNALLING KEYS:(27KB) This vertically-mounted Panel contains two keys which could be switched into the aircraft lighting circuits of British WW-II bombers. The keys were used for flashing the upper and lower lights during periods of radio silence so that the enemy could not listen in to the radio communications.


9300 * {Duplicated from the Canadian etc. Military Keys section.} This round, wall-mounted key was used to blink the upper and lower lights on Canadian and British aircraft. This allowed the planes to communicate visually during periods of radio silence so the enemy could not intercept their communications. The blinking lights were also used to communicate with the landing field. All Spitfire pilots had to learn Morse Code to a speed of 15 words per minute to allow them to communicate.

9300a This inside view shows the schematic diagram:(35KB)


9970 ** {Duplicated from the Miscelaneous Telegraph Items section.} MURRAY WILLER, VE3FRX DEMONSTRATES THE USE OF 'TELEGRAPH FLAG SIGNALS' AT THE 2001 AWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:(33KB) Murray Willer has been collecting and studying light signalling devices for many years and here he demonstrates the proper use of signal flags.

9970a ** MURRAY WILLER, VE3FRX DEMONSTRATES ANOTHER FLAG SIGNAL:(40KB)


9975 ** {Duplicated from the Miscelaneous Telegraph Items section.} MURRAY WILLER, VE3FRX DEMONSTRATES A VERY EARLY OIL-BURNING SIGNAL LAMP AT THE 2001 AWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:(34KB) Murray Willer specializes in light signalling devices and here he shows a very early signal light. As you can see in the next picture, moving the lever causes the cylinders around the wicks to move up and down and exposes more or less of the wick to oxygen, thus controlling the intensity of the light.

9975a ** A Close-up view of the signal light:(35KB)



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