A Civil War telegraph key

Artifax Books

151 Barton Road, Stow MA 01775 USA

A Civil War Morse key.

In creating our version of a Civil War era telegraph key, we reproduced a solid brass lever like those used on keys in the early 1860s. And to keep machining expenses down, we mate the levers to original key frames from the later 1800s or early 1900s. We use the original knob and gap-adjusting screw from the donor key. Since they are based on century-old key frames, these parts will typically show some age and wear.

As you see from the photos below, we make the levers in two forms: straight, or bent (drop lever). The straight lever is the earlier form, but we like the look of the drop lever. There is no spring tension adjustment screw on these keys; this is correct for keys of the early 1860s. If you wish, you can increase the tension by stretching the spring, or by placing a spacer (small washer) between the lever and the top of the spring. If tension is too high, you can reduce it by clipping a turn from the top of the spring. Simply remove the lever to make these adjustments.

These are real, operational landline keys for Civil War re-enactors, anyone assembling an early railroad telegraph depot or Western Union station display, or as a historic or Western movie prop. They can also be used on the air by amateur radio operators! We offer them as a leg key, or in legless form. Although the legless model is not strictly correct for the early 1860s, it has all the other attributes of such a key. It would be of interest to those who prefer not to drill holes through their operating desk, or who want the convenience of top-mounted wire terminals. We will also offer KOB sets (key and sounder combinations) from time to time for those who want a complete telegraph station in a compact assembly.

If you have an old Bunnell hand key, you can purchase the lever itself (see below for availability) and fashion your own Civil War key.

Shown below are those currently available. They are subject to prior sale so if you are interested in one of them please inquire first and if it is available we will hold it for you. We will continue to add additional keys to this page as we make them.

You can email us at .

Click on the main photos below for a larger view.

Shipping of any key is $9.00

CW016

Drop lever. Early leg key with long leg and original wing nuts. Polished.

Another view

$149.00 ... SOLD

We will have others, inquire.

CW003

Early leg key with long legs, brown hard-rubber knobs, and original wing nuts. Aged finish.

Another view

$149.00

CW009

Early leg key with long legs, original wing nuts. This was polished (almost appears to have been bead-blasted), so we left the lever shiny to match. The letters "P.L.W." are stamped on the frame.

Another view

$149.00

CW001

Legless key. This is a later key frame on which we ground off the bug lip, and substituted early type thumbscrews in place of the slotted screws on the wire terminals. The lever is our original prototype which has a pocket to retain the spring; later levers use a pin. Aged finish.

Another view

$139.00

CW Drop Lever

You can create your own Civil War Key by substituting this lever for the steel lever of an old brass-based Bunnell hand key (may not fit other makes, or cast iron keys). You may use a leg key or a legless key, or even use it on an early KOB set.

This polished, solid brass drop lever is complete with pivot and spring retainer pin. The overall length of the lever is 5-1/4 inches. Use your Bunnell gap adjusting screw and knob. On some keys, you may have to grind down the frame contact (anvil) so the lever sits level.

Shown in front of a leg key -- key not included.

$79.00 (add S&H = $5.00)

CW004

Leg key with short legs. The gap screw was bent, and any adjustments will require pliers to move the locknut on the screw. I have set it up with a 3/64" contact spacing.

Another view

$165.00 .... SOLD

CW007