[Milsurplus] FS - More Stuff

[Thomas Adams]

At 11:03 AM 4/11/2007 -0500, you wrote:

>Strange one Want a real gyro ? Here's a real gyro in a clear plastic
>case, that runs on 120 V., 60 cps. Judging by the paperwork, it was used
>to demonstrate how a gyro works to school kids. Also included, at no
>additional cost, is a kids string pull gyro.  $ 10.
>   
>               Thanks,     Dave 


If nobody else has replied on it, I'd like to get the gyroscope! Write me
off the list re. mailing / payment information.


>Since I don't know diddely about CW keys, etc., the following I borrowed
>from an ad last week for a coffin bug, now known as a Skillman.Sold by
>Lafayette and Radio Shack in the 60's. Mfg'ed by Dentsuseiki (?) in 1953
>- 1968. Word "Japan "molded in bottom. Has excellent feel when properly
>adjusted. This one has slight crack on side. He wanted $ 125 for his.
>Mine you can get for $ 50.


Yeah, I saw that EBAY deal last week... I laughed so hard I almost peed in
my pants!

Those "coffin" bugs were popular in the 1960s among poverty stricken high
school kids who couldn't afford a Vibroplex. I know, because i was one of 
'em! They were sold by the mail order outfits like Lafayette Radio and
Olsen Electronics. I can't say I remember ever seeing one in the shop of a 
ham gear purveyer.

I got rid of mine when a used Vibroplex Champion appeared at $10.00. The
coffin key was excellent for learning bug handling technique on; I learned
to use mine in, would you believe, the 1965 ARRL CW Sweepstakes, connected
to a Knight Kit T-50! By the time the contest ended on Sunday night, I could
handle ANY buy you put in front of me! I still feel sorry for the poor dudes
who had to copy my contest reports the first 6 hours!  <<grin>> 

Brand new they were about $20.00 . I ran into one at a hamfest recently, and
just for old time's sake I picked it up...   for $10.00 .

$125 indeed...

For bug collectors, these days I'd say $40.00 - $50.00 is about right.


Mr. T., W9LBB