Key: Vibroplex Original Deluxe – World War II era
Serial: 143221
Vintage: 1945
Acquired: March 24, 2026
Plate: D5 | 833 Broadway N.Y. | 6 Patents + Others Pending
Base: Battleship Gray
Back to Vibroplex Key Collection
Click on an image to enlarge. All photos are original works by the author.
Review
The Original model Vibroplex was introduced to the world of telegraphy in 1905 by Horace G. Martin. The Original model is the most varied of all Vibroplex models and the longest in production model, having been in production since the beginning of the company. In fact, the company name is derived from the actual name of the device itself, the Vibroplex. Vibroplex sells Vibroplexes.
The Original is characterized by its 3-1/2″ wide by 6″ long base, cast main frame, round main lever pendulum rod, and L-shaped damper assembly. The L-damper would go through several iterative designs over the years before settling on the smoothly rounded version we see used on Vibroplexes since the late 1940s.
The Original is one of only three Vibroplexes that were given the Deluxe treatment in 1939 which consisted of a chrome-plated base and top parts along with “jeweled” top and bottom trunnion screws. You can than John La Hiff for the Deluxe models as it was via patent 2,187,351 file by him in 1939 that described three individual modifications to the Vibroplex. The first was a modified damper assembly as shown in the patent drawings but is not known to have ever been used on a production version of any Vibroplex model. The second was the “jeweled” trunnion screws, which are used on all Deluxe model Vibroplexes (Original, Lightning Bug, and Blue Racer). The third modification was the adjustable main spring (called a “Super-Speed Control main spring” at the time), which did not see the light of day until being included on the Presentation model which was produced later in 1948 (called the “Super DeLuxe” in early advertisements at the time). The Presentation model would additionally have a gold plated brass plate mounted to the top of a chrome-plate Deluxe base.
During the Second World War, the U.S. government required rationing of certain metals, which included chromium. With a majority of chromium being used to support the country’s war efforts, manufacturers were forced to find alternatives. As a result, the Vibroplex company provided its Deluxe model bugs with a “Battleship Gray” crackle base instead of the usual chrome-plated base. These bugs would retain the same jeweled trunnion screws and bright, deluxe top parts and red finger pieces. As soon as the war ended and the rationing of goods stopped, the chrome-plated bases returned, resulting in WW2-era “Battleship Gray” deluxe models for the Original, Lightning Bug, and Blue Racer being a bit of a collector’s item.
As with most collectibles, the older a piece is, the more collectible it becomes. This is true of the Original Vibroplex. Early models with nickel-plated bases would be good additions to a collection. The colored-base versions that were offered in the late 1920s would be also. The WWII Deluxe models with their Battleship Gray finish are uncommon. When considering a purchase of a Presentation model, one with a New York nameplate and the La Hiff adjustable main spring are more collectible than those from Maine or Alabama without the adjustable main spring.
k2mas.net is not affiliated with the Vibroplex Co., Inc. “Vibroplex”, “Lightning Bug” and the bug logo are trademarks of The Vibroplex Co., Inc.
K2MAS.net 