Anyone know anything about keys ?

[AstralDruid]

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.

 

[AstralDruid]

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...

Thanks for that..

So in essence it is just a key..
I was thinking that 'skeleton' was being used to denote a key that could open many locks or something like that.

 

[Noah_D]

Thanks for that..

So in essence it is just a key..
I was thinking that 'skeleton' was being used to denote a key that could open many locks or something like that.

I think many people (at least here in America) are just talking about bitted keys like this when they say skeleton key, although "skeleton key" does also mean a key that can open many locks.

 

[CRUSADER]

It function would be something like a large strong box (chest), or a Church door.

 

[Whatdayagot]

I recently found this big key at a lost colonial homesite dates of stuff I found between 1749-1818 not sure what this key was used for but I think it was found under where the house once sat as I found it in a rectangular depression