Unknown antique key

[Jeffrey Herman]

Someone has given me a very old key with no identification. The most
significant feature is an white ivory finger-piece (1.5 inches in
diameter), which seems to be glued to a circular piece of wood.
The base of the key must be poor-quality iron, for there are
small cracks everywhere on base, and large cracks around the
stress points (around the mounting screw holes); base is oval
(shaped like the race track around a football field); the
contacts do not line up - base contact is well forward of the
upper contact - looks as if it was designed that way. Just as
the contacts do not line up properly, so the spring is also
sitting at an angle. (I know what you're thinking, but I
believe this *is* the original armature - the upper and lower
contacts are identical even though they're offset.)

By the way, the base measures 2 13/16 inches wide by 4 9/16
inches in length.

Does any of the above ring a bell as to maker and age.

Thanks in advance - hope everyone's weekend was fun!

Jeff KH2PZ / KH6

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