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.
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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) |
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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 |
Odd French Spark Key With Removable Contacts (Gil Schlehman, K9WDY Collection) |
Unknown Spark Key With Large Contacts |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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French Airplane Wireless Key by SIF (Societe Independente de TSF) |
Close-up of the SIF Key Lever |
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