WWII FANY MORSE KEYS

Silent Keys used by The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry F.A.N.Y. as part of the S.O.E. Special Operations Executive.

Your comments:

• They are both British keys, although the one on the left is clearly based on a German design. They were used on clandestine/special forces radios: the left hand one on boxed versions of the Mk 119 and Mk 128 and the right hand one on the later Mk 128B.
  
  The Army even gave them a ZA number, 54574 (the same - unusually - for both versions), but you probably won't find this marked on the keys.
  .......... Antony Wedgwood, London UK, 3rd of July 2013
  
  
• It seems slightly unfortunate to call these "silent keys"! I know what you are mean: "keys that are silent in operation" (so as to avoid giving away the fact that you are sending morse to anyone who might overhear the characteristic click-click of the normal morse key).
  
  The problem with the term "silent key" is that amongst amateur radio operators this refers to a radio operator who has died!
  .......... Richard Hankins, Ross-on-Wye, 8th of June 2011
  
  
• The key on the left of this picture looks suspiciously like a German
  Telefunken Baumiester T1 key, with a new cover. In fact I am certain it is. I have and have been using this key for nearly ten years. Versions of this key were made from the mid 1930 onwards, and usually have a flash symbol on the top of the bakelite case. The electrical cord has a wire spring type strain reliever. They were used on U-boats
  and, I am told on some tanks. With a small modification to raise the front lower contact they have a very nice light action and is a delightfull key to use.
  Directors note:- The key in question is not a Baumiester key.
  .......... .K.M.Duggan., Nr Arbroath, Scotland., 31st of January 2011
  
  

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