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My own private Morse key collection
KEY 24

The J-38 was used only for training radio telegraph operators.
The J-38 is one of a series of keys made for the U.S. Army Signal Corps.
The J-series goes from J-1 thru J-51 and dates from WWI.
The J-38 was made for the purpose of training radiotelegraph operators.
It is Federal Stock No. 3Z3438 and was produced from WWII and apparently thru the Korean war.
Records state, "KEY J-38: telegraph, manual actuation, J-30 mounted on a bakelite base."
There seems to have been quite a few contractors including, Bunnell, Lionel (of toy train fame) Signal Electric, and McElroy.
Neal McEwen have never been able to find any reference for the J-38 other than it use as a training key.
The "Line" and "Tel" marking are there to so the instructor will know how to hook it up to the EE-81 code practice set.
The band between the two terminals at the edge of the base is to facilitate "connecting a headset in series w/key and the line."
Many soldiers were trained at one time.
Some of this info from Larry Nutting's booklet, "J-series Telegraph Keys of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, 1993

Key mounted on an insulated base as issued by Military.
Very similar to the original Edison Patent Telegraph Key Design.
Adjustments: Contact spacing and alignment; Downward closure tension.
Small silver contact surface (not for use in high current circuits).
Brass and steel construction with different models and metals.
Durable design, cord anchor to avoid terminal wire disconnection.
Knurled hardware on key electrical terminals and adjustments.

Made by the Company ARTEC, I guess...

The LINE, and TEL connections, When the slider is closed the key is shorted and the TELEPHONE can opperate the line.