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)

 

Massive Double Cup 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
French Airplane Spark Key With Oil Cup by Ducretet & Roger	Another View of the Ducretet Key	Another Ducretet Airplane Key With 2 Oil Cups	Another View of the Double Oil Cup Key
A Different Version of the Ducretet Double Oil Cup Key	A Smaller Version of the CGR Double Oil Cup Spark Key (Gil Schlehman, K9WDY Collection)	CGR Non Oil Break Spark Key With Contacts Embedded in Large Adjustable Brass Discs	Another Version of the CGR Non Oil Break Key
The CGR Non Oil Break Key Has the Spring Built Into the Base and the Spring Tension is Adjusted Via a Large Screw at the Front of the Base	A Side View of the CGR Key Showing the Contacts	Another Large Oil Break Key, Possibly Made by CGR	Type MG2 Spark Key With Contact Cooling Fins by SFR (Societe Francaise Radioelectrique)
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
Close-up of the STM Name Stamp	An SFR Oil Break Key	French Oil Break Key by Lagier	Another View of the Lagier Key
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
French Spark Key by Rouzet	Another View of the Rouzet Key	French Wireless Key by Pericaud	Another View of the Pericaud Key
French Wireless Key by Dyna	Another View of the Dyna Key	Odd French Spark Key With Removable Contacts (Gil Schlehman, K9WDY Collection)	Unknown Spark Key With Large Contacts
SFR Type MP3 Airplane Spark Key	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	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	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)	Close-up of the SIF Key Lever