It was listed on eBay as a Vibroplex Junior with a serial number of 85xxx which dated it to about 1922. 6 or Lightning Bug, etc.Įnter the bug in question. Other than the base size the only distinguishing feature of the Junior is that the brass nameplate was mounted facing the right side of the bug instead of the left, the latter being common for the Original, No. It was available with the common black-japanned base with gold pinstripes or an optional nickel-plated base, with all of the top parts nickel-plated. It was a 'standard' Vibroplex Original but with the parts mounted on a slightly smaller base (6' x 3' instead of the usual 6.25' x 3.5'). The item in question was ostensibly a Vibroplex Junior, a less-common model that was actually manufactured between the early 1920s and 1939 but only actively advertised from 1934 onward. Such was the case on a recent 'bug' purchase made using eBay. This is particularly true when buying 'sight unseen' or strictly from photographs, and from non-collectors who may not really know what they have and do not provide adequate detailed descriptive information - usually a 'sin of omission' with no real deception intended. Characteristics such as style of the hardware, paint finishes and color, type of plating, serial number, etc., are all useful as aids in recognizing what a particular model is and when it was likely manufactured.īut sometimes we get fooled.

Reported and photographed by Paul Bock - K4MSGĬlick here for other articles by Paul posted to the LARG Internet SiteĮlsewhere on the LARG Internet Site, (Click Here), I have provided descriptive information to assist the interested collector or owner of Vibroplex semi-automatic keys in identifying the various models and determining their authenticity.

On Identifying and Dating Vibroplex 'Bugs'

Vibroplex bug serial numbers