ARTIFACT: This is a World War II United States Army Signal Corps Type J-38 telegraph key with two wooden-base sounders. The J-38 was a Morse Code training key made for the Army by several companies. This particular one was manufactured by Signal Electric Manufacturing Company, one of the earliest contractors to produce it.

VINTAGE: Circa World War II.

SIZE: Larger sounder: approximately 6-3/8" in length and 3-1/2" in width and 3" in height; smaller sounder: approximately 5-1/4" in length and 2-7/8" in width and 3-3/8" in height; key: approximately 4-3/4" in length and 3" in width and 1-1/2" in height.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Brass, plated brass, Bakelite, wood (sounders only) copper wire (smaller sounder only).

ATTACHMENT: Sounders: holes; key: holes and hook.

MARKINGS: Larger sounder: SIGNAL ELECTRIC MFG CO. MENOMINEE, MICH. 50 OHMS on base; smaller sounder: SIGNAL ELECTRIC MFG CO. MENOMINEE, MICH. on metal and 20 OHMS on base; key: J-38 and hard to read number (stamped in red) on base and SIGNAL ELECTRIC MFG CO. MENOMINEE, MICH. (partially visible on metal).

ITEM NOTES: This is from a United States Army collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. ebay VCCJX99 LCGEX3/11 SLCDJX6/16 comtg10004

CONDITION: 8- (Very Fine-Excellent): The equipment is all in very good shape. One sounder still has copper while the other does not, and all pieces have minimal tarnish and only light abrasions to the wooden bases (sounders only).

GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.