Interesting find

I have one from a Lancaster kicking around somewhere.

Western Electric marked everything they made. J. H. Bunnell often marked their products, but not always. Many other companies made the same equipment, and didn't mark theirs. So, it's definitely not WE, but could be from any other source.

Nothing stamped on the bottom of the wooden base?

Should be an interesting conversation piece.

No markings anywhere on either the key or the base. Without markings, I doubt it was my grandfather's from the B&O. I'm more inclined to think it might be from my Dad's days at Baltimore Polytechnic in the 30's. Unfortunately, his memory comes and goes, more often goes.

it wasn't used much, as there are no signs of wear, just a little rust to clean off.

Jim,

The one thing you can count on. It's doubtful that it was made off-shore.

That's cool, Jim.  Probably most all of us have engineer's caps, train photos, and maybe wooden whistles, but that is a nice artifact to display.

That is a great find.  An interesting relic of real railroading and something your dad had, a double win.

Art

I couldn't just ignore the topic without adding this.  Certainly a direct link with model trains and telegraphy.

Telegraphers reported that keying the J-38 not only produced Morse Code but also rings a bell and blows a whistle.

Bruce