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Reviews For: Bunnell Triumph Straight Key

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Bunnell Triumph Straight Key
Reviews: 1MSRP:
Description:
Per NH1M: "The Triumph key made its debut in September of
1906. Also introduced was their new logo with "Bunnell"
enclosed in a rectangle on the lever. Bunnell stopped
stamping Bunnell in the center of the levers in 1918 and
also pre 1918 Triumph keys did not have the bug lip, AT&T
1A keys made for Western Electric were probably made
between 1924 to 1935, and don't have Bunnell stamped in
the center of the lever. Triumph keys all had the
slotted binding post screw however earlier keys had a
slotted binding post screw that was a slightly different
style.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://jhbunnell.com/bunnellcohistory.shtml
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0015
HL1ZIX Rating: 2018-08-23
A great 1st Key and a piece of history Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I paid $85 for a J.H. Bunnell & Co. Triumph straight key + a homemade brass base, from another ham in South Korea.

Triumph keys were very popular, and commonly produced for different companies by Bunnell. My key was labeled Western Electric AT&T 1A, and does not have the Bunnell logo on top. I was thrilled to receive a collector's grade key in stunning condition. According to N1HM, who is a collector of the Bunnell keys, the AT&T keys are some of the best to get.

I soaked mine in CocaCola for 2 hours, and scrubbed it with a soft toothbrush, which cleans the copper without the harshness from salt/vinegar solutions which turn brass pink. After that, I rinsed it off and shot it with WD40, followed by a meticulous wipe-down with Q-tips. This thing looks like new, other than the scratches on the shorting bar, which proved it has seen a lot of use. There is a thread on QRZ where I show more pics of mine, and N1HM shows some of the gorgeous wood bases he makes for them.

I am so thrilled to have this gorgeous key, which I am learning CW with. I have never owned another straight key, but it feels high-quality, is easily adjustable, and works a treat. I may add a poker chip to turn it into a "Navy Key" style knob, or might buy a J-38 Navy Key knob from 2bradioparts.com. They are the same threading on the knob screw.