Whose good at dating keys?

[comfyinvermont]

Found this key in a dump area where most of the items are early 1800 and late 1700's.? I have not seen a cut on a key like this one before.? Does anyone have any ideas...Thanks...Lance

[JARMAN]

Nice find Lance,I have a lot of the old keys but i have not come across one that odd. Good luck on your info,quest.HH

[downindixie]

? Pick one out,Chifferobe door lock keys and skelton door keys.Early to mid 20 th century.

[comfyinvermont]

Thanks Downindixie, but I believe that this one is a bit older. Take a look at the cut in the key and how it is on a 45 degree angle on both sides along with the size and thiness of the loop. Lance

[dneyedli@res1.mts.net]

I found two keys like yours, one fairly large, with the same heavy green patina. Judging by the amount of datable artifacts at the two sites, I would say that my two keys date to around 1830 to 1850. I'm lazy at taking pics, but I am sure that they are identicle to your key.
Not the same as the other keys from the 20's (other pic)
Nice find,
Dave.

[tchaire]

ComfyinVermont-

Just to add to your research....I have a key very similar to yours, same size, same patina, etc. Found at a site where most of the coins detected are from the 1850's and 60's.

T. Haire

[comfyinvermont]

Thanks again. I think that this is more in the range. The area I found it in was a trash pit from a house that was built in 1801. I have found a lot of items in this area that I can date from the first half the ninteenth century. I would still like to find out about the forty five degree cuts on the blade. I have not seen these before...Lance