The switch won't turn all the way to left without the key thats normal up thru he early sixtys. The position all the way to the left locks ingnition in place when you remove the key. if you remove key in centerposition you can still turn switch to run position or even around to the start position after they removed the floor starter. I guess it was a conveince factor. Most of the olld trucks my granddad either the key stayed in year round or there were no keys. Seldom a problem only had one instance of someone joy riding and they got the truck stuck before they got far. My 54 I bought wihout the key but they had left it in the center position so thats not been a problem. The 38 had a different type of switch and I lost the key so I just got a briggs and stratton switch and put in and leave key in all the type that way I know where it is.