Here is a neat heavy relic of the old days of railroading and communication. During World War 2 (and a little beyond), Lionel made some interesting items for the military and non-toy use. THIS is a J-38 telegraph key that has been mounted on an old Western Electric box. The telegraph key can be removed with just three screws.
I am not sure if the box is a ringer box, battery box, or something else. You can see the Weston gauge on the side, a toggle switch and other hardware mounted inside and out for some kind of operation. This pieces makes a very fine display. Check out all of the pictures which show all sides inside and out.
The telegraph piece is 4 3/4" x 3".
The telegraph key does not have the Lionel logo or name on it, but Lionel Trains did make this model of telegraph key during this time frame. Lionel catalogued as J-38 Signal Corps model.
It would look great on the wall in the train room or man cave.
CONDITION: . No idea if it actually works. Based on the gauge on the side, I would assume it had some other huts or battery on the inside. There is some surface oxidation on the metal parts of the telegraph key as pictured. There are holes in the box on the top and side, probably from whatever it has been used for previously.