Anyone know anything about keys ?

AstralDruid · Nov 23, 2019

Just out of the vinegar and a bit of buffing.. found beside a big beech tree in an old forest. 5 inches down.
All i know is they open locks, and close them, but i find them interesting.

RVRoamer76 · Nov 23, 2019

Wow! That's a massive old key. Never know, could have been a key to a Castle or something. Wtg on the save.

DetecTom · Nov 23, 2019

Maybe it opens an old chest that you’ll find on your next hunt. Really cool looking key though.

AstralDruid · Nov 23, 2019

I like both of those :tongue3:

suggestions... The forest is actually inbetween three castles...not further than 2 miles form any of the three.. Probably a restricted detection area, never checked...

Mackaydon · Nov 23, 2019

Can you rule out it's not a decorative craft's key used for home wall decor?
Don.......

AstralDruid · Nov 23, 2019

Mackaydon said:
Can you rule out it's not a decorative craft's key used for home wall decor?
Don.......

probably can't no..
But why would someone be carrying a decorative craft key so far into the forest ?
And it looks like it has been used/worn...

the_mad_cladder · Nov 24, 2019

That’s a huge key. That would have to be for a wide door I would think. If I had a treasure chest I sure wouldn’t wanna have that big of a key for it.... easy found and used to rob it. If it wasn’t a decorative piece it is now. Cool find

villagenut · Nov 24, 2019

I think the tape measure used here might be in centimeters so it probably is NOT 13 inches long.....

Rookster · Nov 24, 2019

Nice key for sure. I've found several over the years but none with the loop. I definitely believe it opened a trunk or a door. Congratulations :icon_thumright:

AstralDruid · Nov 24, 2019

villagenut said:
I think the tape measure used here might be in centimeters so it probably is NOT 13 inches long.....

Indeed , being in Europe we have used metric for the past 40 years...
It is in CM,, so just over 5 inches..
Didn't actually think anyone would expect a key 33cm long (13in)... but you live and learn.. :occasion14:

CRUSADER · Nov 24, 2019

I would say 19th C.

A2coins · Nov 24, 2019

I have yet to find a Skeleton key. I would l;ove to live in a Castle gotta go see if it fits you could be the Guy living in the attic come out in the middle of the night forrage for food and make all the creeking noises lol Nice find

mirage83 · Nov 24, 2019

AstralDruid said:
Didn't actually think anyone would expect a key 33cm long (13in)... but you live and learn..

That may have been what was leading some of us to speculate on it being decorative rather than functional, as a 13" key would be a little awkward to carry around. And can you imagine the size and weight of a key ring for that sucker?

dognose · Nov 24, 2019

Interesting find, can you determine what the key is made of?

Are the castles in the area open for touring? Is it possible to take the key and ask an administrator if they have a similar key?

AstralDruid · Nov 26, 2019

dognose said:
Interesting find, can you determine what the key is made of?

Are the castles in the area open for touring? Is it possible to take the key and ask an administrator if they have a similar key?

It' s like forged iron, with a copper line running the length of it,..

The castles are in various states of existence, one is nothing more than a few lower wall bits'n'pieces, a complete ruin, next up is a 'tourist type', open to view semi ruin. Third up is a working farm with a weird cult living in it, with their own king etc..they bought the Chateau grounds and all,, weirdos... have met them all, not my type.
Last one is appartments, in Switzerland, have a view of it, sitting on the hill, from my living room, only 800m from my house.
Could be a church key.. we have so many of those around too...

ROIGuy · Nov 27, 2019

Really neat find. Cleaned up beautifully but still shows age.

Wildcat1750 · Nov 27, 2019

Beautiful old key and cleaned up nicely too. :icon_thumright:

Trezurehunter · Nov 28, 2019

That is a nice old skeleton key. Very nice find.

AstralDruid · Nov 28, 2019

Thanks for the comments folks.

Can i ask, a few of you have mentioned 'skeleton key'... why so ? .. i am not familiar with this, how can you tell it is one..?

mirage83 · Nov 28, 2019

AstralDruid said:
Thanks for the comments folks.

Can i ask, a few of you have mentioned 'skeleton key'... why so ? .. i am not familiar with this, how can you tell it is one..?

The one in the OP is a typical skeleton key. A loop at one end is common, with a relatively long straight shank and then a small block at the end with one or more cuts in the block to match the lock it fits.
Here are some rather ornate ones...