Ford Model T Key

[TheHbeast]

Hello, please excuse if this post was made incorrectly or in the wrong place, been a long time since I've used this interface. I found a Ford Model T ignition key today and was wondering if anyone has any information on rarity, or why they all seem to be made in the same shape. Mine has a large "74" printed on the back. From research it seems they were numbered 1-74 or so during production. I would also appreciate some tips on how to clean it. Like a barbarian, I usually use chemical cleaning as opposed to electrolysis. but want to be more delicate with this. I found it in Maine, in a vacant lot next to the ocean, there are other steel parts there, possibly car parts. Thanks for any information.

 

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[Irishgoldhound]

Hey that’s really cool! I have lots of keys and a few that look like that but never really cleaned them up and looked at them closely. Gonna go check my keys.

 

[Tahoegold]

Lemon juice.

 

[TheHbeast]

Thank you, will that do any damage to sensitive metals?

 

[CASPER-2]

lemon juice can be acidic - ive ruin some nice coins and relics when i was a kid using it
I have found 3 of those - i sold one when i was a kid in the late 70s to a key collector
I still have the other 2 (which i have in my display coffee table
- i just used a little baking soda and soft tooth brush - its old - you really dont want to
put a shine on it

 

[CASPER-2]

Lot of people dont realize
More than 15 million Model T's were sold during its years of production (1908–1927), making it the most popular automobile of the time.
and a fair amount of them survived - there are rare cars with rare keys out there that are more collectible
but still nice conversation piece - nice to put in a display case
way back when i think i got $5 for one i sold - see them now going for $7 and up

 

[Tahoegold]

Thank you, will that do any damage to sensitive metals?

Watch the 2-Toes video on removing rust from iron, beer cans, old locks... He's a prospector and treasure hunter. He uses lemon juice and also uses electrolysis to remove rust. He shows how to do it. It looks real easy.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Congrats on finding a real cool piece of history !

After finding two Model T keys a few years ago I also did some research.

Not saying what you should do but I cleaned my keys with an Electrolysis Bath and some very fine steel wool - they look great.
Electrolysis is not the best way to clean all types of relics and caution should be used.
From what I've seen, Copper, Brass and Bronze pieces that have been cleaned with Electrolysis will develop a darker patina within a few months.

Model T's were mfg. from 1919 to 1927 and as you can see in the attached photo - the keys were numbered from #51 to #74.





Good Hunting !

 

[Aeds151]

Wow. Awesome find!

 

[djackson7348]

Man. Nice. Now I have to go back and look at my box of found keys.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

We should start a thread to see how many people have found Model T keys.

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[RustyGold]

Now it’s on my bucket list!