French Spark Keys
The French made some very interesting spark keys. Many of the earlier keys were a type known as "Oil-Break Keys", where the keying contacts were inside a metal cup that was partially filled with oil. This prevented the keying spark from igniting flammable vapors that were commonly present on ships or airplanes.
(Click on the pictures below to see larger versions of the photo)
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| Massive Double Oil-Break Key by CGR (Carpentier Gaiffe et Rochefort). Ca. 1910 | Size Comparison of CGR Key With Boston Navy Yard SE-68 Spark Key | A different CGR Double Oil Cup Key Showing the Large Contacts Inside the Oil Cups | The CGR Key as Part of a French 2.5kW Wireless Station |
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| French Airplane Spark Key With Oil Cup by Ducretet & Roger | Another View of the Ducretet Key | A Different Version Ducretet Airplane Key With 2 Oil Cups | Another View of the Double Oil Cup Key |
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| A Smaller Version of the CGR Double Oil Cup Spark Key (Gil Schlehman, K9WDY Collection) | CGR Oil Break Key With Single Oil Cup | Another Large Oil Break Key, Possibly Made by CGR | Type MG2 Spark Key With Cooling Fins by SFR (Societe Francaise Radioelectrique) |
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| Another View of the SFR Spark Key Showing Nameplate | The SFR MG2 Nameplate | French Oil Break Key by STM (Societe des Telegraphes Multiplex) | Another View of the STM Spark Key |
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| Close-up of the STM Name Stamp | An SFR Oil Break Key | French Oil Break Key by Lagier (w1tp.com) | Another View of the Lagier Key |
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| Unusual Oil Break Key, Maker Unknown, Possibly Homemade. (w2pm collection) | Another View of the Oil Break Key | A CGR Non-Oil Break Key (IZ0KRC Collection) | Another View of the CGR Key |
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| French Spark Key by Rouzet | Another View of the Rouzet Key | French Wireless Key by Pericaud | Another View of the Pericaud Key |
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| French Wireless Key by Dyna | Another View of the Dyna Key | Unknown Spark Key With Large Contacts | SFR Type MP3 Airplane Spark Key |
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| French Wireless Key by MAES (Manufacture d'Appareillage Electrique Special) | Unusual French Oil Break Key With Cast Lever, Maker Unknown (w1tp.com) | Another View of the Oil Break Key | Close-up of the Oil Cup |
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| A Miniature Key Probably From a Field Set | A Very Small Oil Break Key, Maker Unknown | French Wireless Key by Jardillier. Part of a Field Telegraph Set | Another View of the Jardillier Key |
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| Radiguet & Massiot Type 4 Key From a Wireless Field Set | Another View of the Radiguet & Massiot Key Showing the Folding Lever | French Wireless Key With Folding Lever. Maker Unknown | French Airplane Wireless Key by SIF (Societe Independente de TSF) |
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| Close-up of the SIF Key Lever |
