Does anyone use a key like this ?

 I saw this picture of the Micamold XTR-1 transmitter on Faceoff.  Looks like a Novice rig sorta like the Ameco AC-1 but maybe a little fancier.

Per this ad in April 1948 CQ Magazine (seen on ebay):

The XTR-1 sold for $34.  That inflates to $423.25:

 

But the thing that caught my eye was that brass key.

  Was that key ever actually used except maybe to tune up the rig ?  The first hard press and the key would tip back, we've all experienced that.

Put that key on a base: wood - metal - phenolic - whatever, to keep it from tipping and moving.  And a wood base has the bonus of being warmer to the touch than that cold brass (because judging from the dust the key was held down on the brass base).

Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY
http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm