Les Logan Speed-X Hi-Speed Bug Model 510
Speed-X model 510 by the Les Logan Company. Small 2.75 x 6 inch base. This has the original “bulls-eye” paddles and the box. This dates from the early 1940s, preceding the acquisition of the Speed-X line by the E. F. Johnson Company in 1947.
Pre WWII Les Logan Aftermarket Reverse Bug
This is a vintage pre-WWII Speed-X bug made by Les Logan, likely for the aftermarket trade such as Sears and Montgomery Ward (which explains the absence of a nameplate). It has the squared-off “reverse pivot frame” which eliminates the extended stop screw arms found on other bugs such as the Vibroplex.
Val Leach. Speedoplex No.2 Bug
2 bugs made by the Leach Relay Company of San Francisco. This is a “Speedoplex No. 2” made c. 1930 with a few differences from the usual No. 2: the damper style (hinged at the back), and the transverse nameplate holes.
Lynn Burlingame owned Leach Equipment Flyer from 1930
F.A.Wilcox Left-Handed Model Bug [mid 1920s~1930s]
This Fred Wilcox bug (Canadian) has no nameplate (none did). I could not find a name or SN stamp. The bug shows heavy use and the finish is well worn. A close look at the bottom indicates it was once a regular right handed bug, and has been “flipped” — it looks like this was done many years ago (possibly by Fred on order?). It has one weight but is otherwise complete, and has the usual wing nuts on the wire terminals.
A.H.Emery Early GO-Devil Bug
This is the scarce 1930s Go-Devil bug, by A.H. Emery of Poughkeepsie, New York. This one is original and appears to be complete. This is the early model.
J.H.Bunnell Co. Gold Bug
This has a single lever with adjustable swivel, and a single contact for dots and dashes. It wasn’t very successful when produced in the late 1920’s for the simple reason that it didn’t work very well.
Electric Speciality Company, Cedar Rapids Bug with Case
The only bug that was sold (in the 1930s) as a kit, and one of the few that has a cast base. The massive base measures 3 x 7-1/2 inches, and has its name cast in the bottom of the base. This bug is complete, original, and in excellent condition. Also included is the scarce, original steel carrying case. The case is very good but has some finish missing (and resulting surface rust) on the back. The label in the case is scratched at the bottom, probably from the bug paddle.
Dow Key Universal Model Bug
This is the so-called “rotatable” Dow, also called the Universal model. The pivot assembly can be rotated in the frame for a comfortable position. First made in Winnipeg and later (as this one) in Warren, Minn. It is complete and original.
Canadian Bat Bug
I call this “bat key” due to the shape of the upper pivot plate. The base is cast iron and measures 2-1/2 x 6-1/4 inches. The four pivot uprights are part of the casting, as is a raised rib that runs the length of the key. This bug is heavy, weighing a full four pounds.
Only three or four of these rare keys are known. It is thought the maker was in Canada, as at least two of them were found there.
Auto-morse Jigger (Bug)
Australia is known for its unusual animals and odd telegraph “jiggers.” This is a scarce, vintage three-lever bug from the land down under, patented by N. P. Thomas of Adelaide and made by Hitchcox Bros. The upper levers operate similar to a Vibroplex two-lever (automatic dots and manual dashes); the third (lower right) lever is for automatic dashes, but I could only adjust it for slower dots. Anyway it appears complete and original, and shows light freckling to the base plating and wear to the upper T-bar plating.
Wilson MFG Co. Canadian RAF Issue SA100 Bug
Wilson model SA100 bug made for the Canadian RAF. This is the collectible “upside-down bug” — remove the three feet from the bottom, place them on the frame and damper, place it upside-down on the operating table, and you have a left-handed bug. This one has the scarce original nameplate. It does have some chipping of the finish.
Simplex Auto Jigger (Bug)
Right-angle bugs have the pendulum mounted transversely on the base. The typical U.S. example is the Mecograph. Here is a right-angle bug from Australia, probably made in early 1947 by Leo G. Cohen of Mebourne, Victoria. The serial number is 57xx. It is in very good condition, complete and original.
Brooklyn Metal Stamping Co. J-36 Bug
Brooklyn Metal Stamping Corp. Signal Corps J-36 bug, described above. This one is NOT in original condition — non-original parts are: the wire terminals, one foot, the pendulum weight… and perhaps a few other parts. The U-shaped dot spring is missing from the fixed contact screw (a Vibroplex type could be soldered on) but I did get it to work with critical adjustment even as shown. There are some chips in the base paint, there is an added hole in the base and red-painted letters.
J.H.Bunnell Co. Navy Prototype Bug
The metal nameplate reads “manufactured by J.H. Bunnell & Co” and cast into the right side of the base is “property of U.S. Navy.” Notice the large “radio” contacts and the unique Bunnell damper and pivot frame designs.
The base finish is excellent, as is the chrome on the upper parts. It is missing: weights, pendulum dot contact, dot and dash springs and hardware (see photos). The fixed dash contact screw head is broken and missing. I will include a replacement paddle (original type) and a knob. The connector strips on the bottom have been replaced with a piece of PC board.
J.H.Bunnell J-36 Bug
Army Signal Corps J-36 by Bunnell. This has a 8-4-1942 contract date and serial number 2556. Signal Corps stamps are seen on the bottom.
The Bunnell J-36 is scarcer than (and quite different from) the Lionel and Vibroplex Signal Corps bugs. The pivot frame on the Bunnell J-36 has an interesting shape (reminds me of an old Packard grille).
The weight is unplated and may be a replacement, and there is a 1/4″ chip in the finish near the back
Lionel Corp. J-36 Bug
As above; the nameplate has shrunk and separated at one end.
The tops of the wire terminal nuts seem to have been polished and clear-coated.
Martin Flash Key #1 Model bug
Here is a Flash Key made by the sons of Horace Martin in the 1930s under the name of Martin Research & Manufacturing Corp. All Martin Research Flash Keys (there were four models) are scarce, because the Bunnell company acquired the rights to the keys shortly after they appeared. (The “Bunnell-Martin” Flash Keys were offered for at least five years, and so are more common.)
This “professional no. 1” model with serial number 5597 is in excellent condition, with a wonderfully clear nameplate.
Martin Flash Key #1 Model bug
A Martin Research “Professional No. 1” as above, same excellent condition, serial number 5987. This one has the two original small weights.