Name/Title
Wade Saunders Simplex Turkey CallEntry/Object ID
VTC001A0008Description
As friction calls gained popularity in the 1800s, we have evidence in old sporting journals and stories of early peg-and-slate-style calls. The 1883 Sportsman’s Gazetteer highlights a “nail call,” with a nail driven in one piece of wood rubbed against a slate or soapstone. The peg and slate call to be patented was by Dr. Wade Hampton Saunders (1876-1927) of Roanoke, Virginia. He received U.S. Patent #1,034,307 on July 30, 1912. In it he claimed a “Turkey call, comprising a hollow tone tube constructed of a section of corn cob terminating at one end in a blade stylus needle having a spherical head, adapted to be held against a piece of slate or the like held in the hollow of one’s hand and against ones thigh in moving frictional contact, causing a vibration of the blade stylus needle, in imitation of the note of the wild turkey.” He would name his call The Simplex, which was an effective way to market its user-friendliness.Collection
Rick Powell CollectionCataloged By
Brent RogersCondition
Overall Condition
GoodDate Examined
Feb 1, 2026Created By
Brent@awthf.orgCreate Date
February 1, 2026Updated By
Brent@awthf.orgUpdate Date
February 1, 2026
