<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3020" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">Hi David,</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="MS Sans Serif">></FONT>The other strange thing about these is the natural keys have a metal stud at the rear of the keys, and the sharps do not. Is this a weight, and if so, why not the sharps?</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>You will find this in newer Mason & Hamlin verticals, also (possibly others).  It's really a pretty nice idea.  It is a lead "wire," probably about 20 mm long, and its function if to pre-weigh the keys.  They are only in the natural keys, because it would over-weigh the sharps.  With this sort of pre-weighing, you rarely need more than one lead weight, for final weigh-off in the traditional manner.  The beauty of this system is that the greater part of the weight is at the very end of the key.  Five grams there, replaces what would otherwise be 10-15 grams that would otherwise be required closer to the balance rail, with traditional weigh-off methods..  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>Frank Emerson</FONT></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>