-40%

Vibroplex WW2 Deluxe Original Lightening Bug, #135889, excellent condition,rare

$ 23.76

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Modified Item: No
  • Model: Lightning Bug
  • Compatible Brand: Martin Research
  • Brand: Vibroplex
  • Type: Semi-automatic morse sending key
  • Custom Bundle: No
  • Condition: Used
  • Non-Domestic Product: No
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Country of Manufacture: United States
  • MPN: 135889
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

    Description

    Vibroplex WW2 Deluxe Original Lightening Bug, #135889, excellent condition. Condition is "Used" and fully operable or money back. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail within continental USA. (48 states).  "L" type damper, 3.5 " base, Jeweled bearings, dark "battleship gray" base paint, red fittings. Selling from late husband's collection of radio equipment.
    Description:
    In about 1939, Vibroplex introduced the “Deluxe” version of the Original, Blue Racer and Lightning Bug,which included a chrome-plated base, jeweled bearings, and new-style red plastic fittings. However, chrome was scarce during WW2, and the chrome-plated base was temporarily replaced by a dark gray base, sometimes called “battleshipgray.” These are referred to as “WW2 Deluxe” Vibroplexes. They can be identified by four characteristics: (1) dark “battleship gray” base paint, (2)jeweled bearings, (3) red fittings, and (4) a small copper braid from the lever to the frame
    .
    At the end of WW2,Vibroplex modernized the frame and damper castings of the Original, and the Original has remained essentially unchanged since then. The standard base color was changed to gray in the early Fifties, and the gray Original version is the most common Vibroplex. The standard base color was recently changed back to black. For some reason, the black crackle base Original made from the early Forties to the early Fifties is not very common.
    On Jun-27-21 at 11:16:15 PDT, seller added the following information:
    Correction: The Serial Number of this key is #135889. Somehow the wrong closeup of the serial number (from a previous key) was interjected by accident. So please ignore the closeup of the serial number in this ad. I can't remove the photo or I would. It is a WW2 Deluxe original key #135889. I can send a photo of the correct serial number to anyone that is interested.