The 1961 Handbook shows a simple keyer, with a 12AU7 as the "clock"
and rectifier, and another 12AU7 for the rest of the keyer. A relay
actually keys the transmitter. That seems to be closer to the level
of the keyer the original poster is asking about.

Yes (original poster here) - that's the only handbook I have, and it's
the closest I've found. Could be the original builder devised a way to
key the output with the 6AS7 (which is the size of a 6L6 - he cleverly
recessed the base of the tube into the chassis, below the paddle 'deck').

Makes me want to homebrew again! Just can't get over how well this
thing is built - and it works so doggone perfect I can't believe it! Acts
and looks like it was built yesterday. Of course, it may be just a few
years old built from an old schematic... hard to say.

Anyway, thanks for the input

Dave WB7AWK