The 1918 date based on the full door hinge and old style ‘tear drop’ dampener seen on similar vintage Vibroplex bugs. I concluded at the time that it was either a homebrew or prototype clone made sometime before 1918.
Close inspection once it was received revealed no stamped serial number or makers mark. Fellow collector Claudio, IZ0KRC, suggested it closer resembled the features of an F.A. Luckily, the seller had a ‘make-offer’ option that allowed me to pick it up for just $35! I suspected it might be an XOGRAPH made by Rolph Brown in Toronto, Canada (based on the square contact posts). I found this one on Ebay back in February 2016 in an obscure category with the name ‘Vibroplex’ mis-spelled. Early XOGRAPH Bug – 1918(ish) (AFTER First Stage Restoration)
