Mac Stream Hand Key

Mac Stream Hand Key
Mac Stream Hand Key Model Model # S-100

Ted McElroy's offered his Hand Key starting in Mid-1938 in four models. The DeLuxe model had a chrome plated cast brass frame. The Professional had a polished and lacquered brass frame. The Commercial had a black wrinkle finished frame and a chromed lever. The Amateur, the cheapest model, had a black wrinkle frame and a cadmium plated lever. Prices ranged from $1.20 to $2.25. McElroy doesn't mention the circuit closer in his flyer describing these keys, but at least the two higher-priced models were closed-circuit keys. All four models used the same 3/16 - inch contacts, which were made for McElroy by Wilson, A New Jersey company. Within six months, he discontinued advertising his Hand Keys. The first Stream Key appeared in 1938 and had a flat teardrop shape and was the only McElroy straight key that has a nameplate. There were four models that carried the same names and corresponding finishes as the Hand Keys. The prices were the same : 1.20 for the cheapest model, rising to $2.25 for the DeLuxe. The DeLuxe (chrome-plated) model is much more common then the others. For some reason, McElroy mounted the circuit-closing lever "backwards" on all of his Stream Keys. That is, it curves toward the main lever, rather than away as on everyone else's hand keys. In 1940 the second Stream Key was introduced, It was more rounded, nameplate was deleted. The variations were reduced to three and also given numbers: the Deluxe #300 (chrome), the Professional #200 (black base,chromed lever), and the "slightly smaller" Amateur #100 (black base, cadmium plated lever). The price disparity for these three models was greater than for McElroy's previous straight keys: $1.00 to $2.85. There are many varieties of this model. The metal base of the #200 was briefly replaced with grey or black plastic (your choice), as was that of the #100 (black plastic only). At this time, the #200 had a circuit closer while the #100 did not. The following year the #200 returned to a metal, black wrinkle finished base, and two variations were added to the #300 and #200 lines. The "BB" models have a single ball (a bearing) captive between the lever and each pivot screw. The "BS" models have bronze pivot screws. The #100 retained the plastic base and regained the circuit closer. The plastic model has what amounts to a nameplate cast into the plastic under the lever. This inexpensive key was also offered with the Oscillatone oscillator on a cast iron base as a practice set in 1941. The black plastic "Stream Key" shown here is the second model # S-100 with the Original cardboard carton which is black and yellow, measures 3 3/4 X 5 3/4 X 2" high. It seems to be one of the more rarer models to find.

Mac Stream Hand Key 2
Mac Stream Hand Key Model Model (Second Model)

In 1940, McElroy introduced this second model the "Deluxe #300 (Chrome). The Deluxe model is much more common then the others. For some reason, McElroy mounted the circuit-closing lever "backwards" on all of his Stream Keys. That is, it curves toward the main lever, rather than away as on everyone else's hand keys. It sold for $2.25

Back