Simplex Morse Telegraph Set
Maker and role
New Zealand Post Office, Assembler
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation, Manufacturer
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2021.2.1
Production period
Description
Simplex Morse Telegraph Set.
Square, wooden platform on a thin wooden base which has four screw holes around the edges. At the back are four screws to access the interior. On the front of platform is a series of black dials. There is a small circular socket for a telegraph sounder plug on the left, then a silver dial. Above this is a small white plaque with black text, "PRESS TO READ / ACTUAL CURRENT". Next to this are three black selector switches. Around the first switch is the text, "UP / DOWN". Above the second switch is the text, "C/C / W.O.BATT / I/C / C/C / WITH BATT". The third switch has the text, 'BATT. ON / BATT. OFF". On the right hand side are three black circular dials. Above this is a white plaque with black text, "LINE BATT. LOCAL / - + BATT."
On the top of the platform is a small black plaque with white text which reads, "SIMPLEX MORSE SET / TYPE 20846 / N.Z. POST OFFICE". On the left hand side is a metal milliammeter with a white dial with black measurements. Black text reads, "MILLIAMPERES D.C. / 75 / 50 / 25 / 0 / 25 / 50 /75 / WESTON ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT CORP., NEWARK, N.J., U.S.A. / MODEL 301 / NO.". Next to this is a small engraved number, "034517". At the top left corner of the milliammeter is a yellow stamp with the text, "SC / 8465 / A". Next to the milliammeter is a cylindrical telegraph relay. At the base of the relay are a series of screws connected to insulated wires. In between each screw letter, these read, "D / U / U / M / T / S / D". On the right hand side of the cylinder is a small brass dial. Above this is engraved text, "SPACING MARKING". Beneath this is an engraved symbol of two directional arrows. At the top of the cylinder is a series of metal components and the text, "B / C.P.O. 11245". The top opens with a hinge at the rear and has a glass lid.
Square, wooden platform on a thin wooden base which has four screw holes around the edges. At the back are four screws to access the interior. On the front of platform is a series of black dials. There is a small circular socket for a telegraph sounder plug on the left, then a silver dial. Above this is a small white plaque with black text, "PRESS TO READ / ACTUAL CURRENT". Next to this are three black selector switches. Around the first switch is the text, "UP / DOWN". Above the second switch is the text, "C/C / W.O.BATT / I/C / C/C / WITH BATT". The third switch has the text, 'BATT. ON / BATT. OFF". On the right hand side are three black circular dials. Above this is a white plaque with black text, "LINE BATT. LOCAL / - + BATT."
On the top of the platform is a small black plaque with white text which reads, "SIMPLEX MORSE SET / TYPE 20846 / N.Z. POST OFFICE". On the left hand side is a metal milliammeter with a white dial with black measurements. Black text reads, "MILLIAMPERES D.C. / 75 / 50 / 25 / 0 / 25 / 50 /75 / WESTON ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT CORP., NEWARK, N.J., U.S.A. / MODEL 301 / NO.". Next to this is a small engraved number, "034517". At the top left corner of the milliammeter is a yellow stamp with the text, "SC / 8465 / A". Next to the milliammeter is a cylindrical telegraph relay. At the base of the relay are a series of screws connected to insulated wires. In between each screw letter, these read, "D / U / U / M / T / S / D". On the right hand side of the cylinder is a small brass dial. Above this is engraved text, "SPACING MARKING". Beneath this is an engraved symbol of two directional arrows. At the top of the cylinder is a series of metal components and the text, "B / C.P.O. 11245". The top opens with a hinge at the rear and has a glass lid.
Brief History
Simplex morse telegraph sets such as this one were used by many telegram delivery offices in New Zealand prior to 1963, when the use of Morse code overland came to an end in the country.
The set includes a cylindrical telegraph relay, milliammeter, selector switches, fuses, and socket for a telegraph sounder plug. It can be used as a terminal or intermediate station. To complete the telegraph station, a morse key would be fastened to the table in front of the unit, with connecting wires joining these two items. The set would have been made in New Zealand from imported components.
The set includes a cylindrical telegraph relay, milliammeter, selector switches, fuses, and socket for a telegraph sounder plug. It can be used as a terminal or intermediate station. To complete the telegraph station, a morse key would be fastened to the table in front of the unit, with connecting wires joining these two items. The set would have been made in New Zealand from imported components.
Marks
PRESS TO READ / ACTUAL CURRENT Etched
UP / DOWN Etched
C/C / W.O.BATT / I/C / C/C / WITH BATT Etched
BATT. ON / BATT. OFF Etched
LINE BATT. LOCAL / - + BATT. Etched
SIMPLEX MORSE SET / TYPE 20846 / N.Z. POST OFFICE Etched
MILLIAMPERES D.C. / 75 / 50 / 25 / 0 / 25 / 50 /75 / WESTON ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT CORP., NEWARK, N.J., U.S.A. / MODEL 301 / NO. Printed
034517 Engraved
SC / 8465 / A Ink Stamp
D / U / U / M / T / S / D Engraved
SPACING MARKING Engraved
B / C.P.O. 11245 Engraved
UP / DOWN Etched
C/C / W.O.BATT / I/C / C/C / WITH BATT Etched
BATT. ON / BATT. OFF Etched
LINE BATT. LOCAL / - + BATT. Etched
SIMPLEX MORSE SET / TYPE 20846 / N.Z. POST OFFICE Etched
MILLIAMPERES D.C. / 75 / 50 / 25 / 0 / 25 / 50 /75 / WESTON ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT CORP., NEWARK, N.J., U.S.A. / MODEL 301 / NO. Printed
034517 Engraved
SC / 8465 / A Ink Stamp
D / U / U / M / T / S / D Engraved
SPACING MARKING Engraved
B / C.P.O. 11245 Engraved
Media/Materials
Credit Line
New Zealand Post Office et al. Simplex Morse Telegraph Set, 2021.2.1. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![[Ron Fruish with morse key]; Unknown; Circa 1950s](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/54649/f061af980f2ed64ae8d7eee4a2bc693d8d029b39.jpg)
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