1944 Vibroplex Original Bug 833 Broadway St NY SN 132155 Blk Base Very Fine Cond

Description

For Auction:
A 1944 Vibroplex Original Standard SN 132155 on a Black Satin Cast base.  The flash exposures highlight the dust on the key, not visible to the naked eye in normal room light.  Key comes with the original untied cord & wedge used to circuit connect by sliding the wedge into the leaf spring of a straight key.
Description:
Vibroplex produced on average some 3000 to 4000 keys in 1942 and 1943.  But, in 1944 and 1945 it produced as many as 11,000 each year bringing in a very welcome increase in operating capital to the Vibroplex company.  It seized this opportunity to finish updating its molds for the mainframe and damper-frame in order to shift from the more labor intensive rectangular cross-section to the new cast rounded cross-section frame members.  This key is one of the last of the labor intensive No 1's probably assembled from remaining No 1 parts while the casting conversion was underway.  An example of what Vibroplex was transitioning to is available in one of my other auctions.
Examine the key and you will see that the historic past is all there: the mainframe & damper are rectangular cross-section, the finger nuts are flat-top open body fasteners, the paddle wedge used continued to be the tougher fiber board wedge and the base was still cast from pig iron.  A very nice touch.  The embossed Vibroplex serialized patent plate is made of tin because most all brass was being used for ammunition shells and unavailable for such cosmetic needs as equipment labels.  Just the condition of the nameplate marks this unit as exceptional.  Almost all are rusted.  This example is not.
The "yellowish" parts are typical of metals put through "Sn reflowing" processes where the 2nd heating exceeded recommended limits. In War production, controls were tight but production demand and speed were tighter. The tin coating, originally a bright pretty silver, formed intermetallic compounds with other metals such as iron, nickel, copper etc and when this depletes the surface of free tin, they show their own color which is often a chalky
yellow
and even brown (when the plating is thicker). The nameplate which is also made from sheet metal steel rolls, was also, more than likely, manufactured under the same ocnditions but was then cleaned and over-painted at least twice to give the appearance the brass labels had prior to WW2.
There were many benefits to Sn Overflowing including increased conductivitiy and when done properly is highly regarded, especially today in our stuggling economy.  In my opinion, knowing this and appreciating this, simply make the key more valuable.
The key makes a wonderful collectible and represents the finest in traditional production Vibroplex had performed until the war.  The "Original" made from No 1 parts would soon take its own place amongst retired and no longer produced variants.  It's serial number is a unique, authentic, number incrementing without repetition from the early days of the company.
Condition:
Used excellent physical condition and we see no problems or issues with it.   This key is real history, the real McCoy and nothing is better than that.
Terms:
The key here at auction is auctioned as a desirable and useable telegraph bug and will be well packed.  It is offered AS IS and it is not returnable.  Please contact me NOW if you have any questions.