Light Signalling Keys

Light Signalling Keys were used to send messages between ships using a telegraph key and a powerful lamp. The British often referred to these keys as "Masthead Keys". Many of the British Masthead Keys had a rotating lever that allowed the operator to put the key in a constant-transmit mode. Some of the later keys had instructions warning the operator not to leave the key down for more than 2 minutes, as it could burn out the lamp.

(Click the thumbnails below to view a larger picture):

 

A British Masthead Signal Light Key in Box by Reid Brothers	Inside the Reid Brothers Key. The Knob on the Side Can be Rotated to Hold the Key Lever Down for Continuous Transmitting	A Close-Up of the Lever on the Reid Brothers Signal Light Key	British Masthead Signal Light Key
Another View of the Masthead Key	Another Masthead Key. Note the Lever for Closing the Key	One More British Masthead Key	A Key Operated Light Shutter Used With a Heliograph Solar Telegraph System. K&E Co. NY
The Heliograph Uses Mirrors to Reflect Sunlight Over a Distance. The Shutter Was Opened and Closed by the Key to Create a Morse Signal	Portable Signal Light Box	Close-Up of the Key	British Light Signalling Instructor Set
Another View of the Instructor Set	US Navy Light Signalling Key in the Shape of a Gun. The Trigger Operates the Light	Close-Up of the Model Number on the Navy Light Key	A Flashlight With Attached Telegraph Key For Sending Morse Signals
Another View of the Morse Code Flashlight	German Key With Large Contacts. I believe This is a Signal Light Key. Note the Rotating Key-Down Lever	Another View of the German Signal Light Key	Signal Light Key Mounted on Wooden Stand
Another Signal Light Key on Wooden Stand	Signal Light Key Made by Oceanic	Close-Up of the Key	Self-Contained Navy Signal Light and Key by Delta Electric, Marion Indiana
Top View of the Signal Light Set Showing the Key	Back View Showing the Maker's Name	Swedish Signal Light by AB Armemateriel, Stockholm	A View Inside the Swedish Signal Light Showing the Key
US Navy Signal Light Key in Waterproof Enclosure	Signal Light Key Made by General Electric	Signal Light Key in Heavy Enclosure	View of the Key With the Lid Open
Another US Navy Light Signalling Key	Light Signalling Key With Protective Lid	Australian Light Signalling Key, 1942	Instruction Plate on the Australian Light Signalling Key
Canadian Signal Light Key by Westclox	Close-Up of the Westclox Nameplate	Ediswan Light Signalling Key	Close-Up of the Nameplate on the Ediswan Key
Dutch Light Signalling Key (PA3AYD Collection)	Another Dutch Light Signalling Key (PA3EGH Collection)	Inside the Light Signalling Key	Close-Up of the Key
Russian Light Signalling Key	Polish Light Signalling Key	Another View of the Polish Signal Light Key	German Light Signalling Key
Inside the German Light Signalling Key	Japanese Light Signalling Key by Senpaku-Shoji Co.	Close-Up of the Senpaku-Shoji Nameplate	Another Japanese Light Signalling Key in a Metal Enclosure
	Close-Up of the Nameplate on the Japanese Light Signalling Key

 

 

 

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