[CW] Mac Straight Keys

[Richard Knoppow]

     I have several straight keys of the Stream Key style. One of them I 
bought new in the box in my teens. I long ago lost the box which might 
have answered some of my questions. I have looked through the bio of 
McElroy by Tom French but it has minimal information in it on the 
straight keys. I have several of these keys, some of which might be 
fakes. I have one which I bought new in my teens. I long ago lost the 
box. I think it is a J-38 type. It has the extra terminal posts for a 
practice set up. According to Tom French some of these keys were made 
by McElroy and some by TAC, I think the one I bought new and another are 
TAC keys, they have a bulge in the lever where the contact is fastened. 
A couple of these keys have odd sized bases and have cracks typical of 
badly cast zinc. I think these are the "fakes". The key I bought new in 
the box has a MFP stamp on the bottom dated 1951, this is the one I 
think is a J-38.
     Now, both keys have a very faint marking near the "anvil" contact. 
It appears to be cast into the base. I can't quite make out what it is 
but its the same on both keys. Sort of badge shaped. There is a number 
near it, 6 on the key I bought new and 1 on the other key. There may be 
other markings cast into the base on both but they are very faint.
     So, can anyone tell me anything about these keys? Does anyone know 
what the marking is, its definitely there.
     I am curious about the "fake" keys, I can't understand how anyone 
could make a profit from making them. Even the genuine keys are rather 
crude but the fakes are coarse. I have seen other old castings that 
disintegrated, mostly zinc but might be something else. Curiously enough 
the keys feel OK or maybe I am just good at setting them up.
     Any information is welcome. I have researched these before with no 
success.
     BTW, in his book on McElroy French does mention the two partners 
McElroy had in TAC but little information on why it was formed. My guess 
is that the "Not Incorporated" which McElroy stressed may have been the 
result of resenting the amount of control incorporation allows others 
(the government) to have in running a business.

-- 
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998