Please help identify this key

[Old Dude]

I found this at 8 inches depth in an 1822 farmhouse lawn today. Can someone tell me the possible use and age? It is probably brass, given the beautiful patina and the fact it does not stick to a magnet. Thanks for any help.

 

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[VERMONTIS]

Looks like the key to my grandma's china cabinet

 

[bigfoot1]

the interesting thing is that it is double sided.vermontis may be quite right.this key(photo)is a furniture key.cabinet,trunk etc.from what I was able to find it may be late 19th..early 20th century.is it a hollow barrel or solid?

 

[Old Dude]

the interesting thing is that it is double sided.vermontis may be quite right.this key(photo)is a furniture key.cabinet,trunk etc.from what I was able to find it may be late 19th..early 20th century.is it a hollow barrel or solid?

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=785191"/>

It is hollow

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[bigfoot1]

the hollow were manufactured and not smithed.my date estimate,while a simple guess,is prolly not far off....very cool find,I like it !!!

 

[DoranHashemi]

Could be a music box key

 

[Old Dude]

I posted pics on "today's finds" and it was suggested to be a clock winder. Thanks for the input. I like it no matter what it turns out to be.

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[bigfoot1]

I looked at clock winders but found none with the tangs.They are pretty much little socket keys(I could be wrong of course)clock keys were not meant to keep folks out,I believe this key was made to keep something locked.imho

 

[GpSnoopy]

I also concur with it being a locking type key. Here is a 6 lever padlock with a similar key. Yours would be from a smaller lock, of course. Date range would depend on how long this type of lock mechanism was in use for (trunks, furniture, padlocks, etc.)

 

[GMD52]

Just today I found a key very similar. It went to a small drawer in a larger chest of drawers. The small locking drawer had no drawer pull and the end of the key when turned acted as the pull to the drawer.

 

[CoilyGirl]

Could it go to a secretary desk? My grandmother had one and it had a little key.

 

[Trooper733]

Antique Berliner handcuff keys are double bitted like that also, with a hollow stem.

 

[DoranHashemi]

Most likely all of the above