skeleton key identification?

[kiddrock33]

i can use help identifying this keys date of manufacture and what type of lock it turned, this key was found where a key does not belong.

 

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[Breezie]

Skeleton or pass keys were used to open warded locks, and have been used for centuries, and basically died out around the turn of the century up to the 20s/30s. Yours looks to be brass. I like finding skeleton keys! Cool find, Breezie

 

[NHBandit]

Wondering why you say it was found in a strange place. Keys have been lost for centuries wherever there have been people.

 

[kiddrock33]

thanks breezie

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Sorry Pal...as owner of a large collection of keys ,specifically id'ing an unmarked key is next to impossible.
I have found some in pretty weird places also...considering that people carried them with them,they were easy to lose like coins,buttons,etc.
I once found one nailed to the bottom of a tree in the middle of the woods...

 

[dick99344]

i can use help identifying this keys date of manufacture and what type of lock it turned, this key was found where a key does not belong.

Great replies. This is a post bitted warded key most likely used in a mortise or a surface mounted rim warded lock on a door. I say most likely, but the lock could have been used in many applications for the time. This key could be made of brass, but it could be made of malleable iron as most of the older ones were made. See if you can find any mould marks along the length of key as if it was moulded. This is how a brass or malleable iron key would be made. A small scratch could be used to expose new surface metal to determine the metal type. On rare occasions, I have been called to repair broken springs or asked to provide replacement locks and keys to some of these old locks on old homes. I have a set of warded Skeleton type keys in like new condition and can still get the mortise and rim mounted warded locks, how long I can continue to get these is anyones guess. Most of the skeleton keys I have are made of steel today. As already stated by the others, these keys are most difficult to identify and date as to what the exact lock application they were used in. The type and design is very old and did not change much through out several centuries, but like I said, they are still being used some what today. It could take a great deal of time and imagination to design the wards in the lock to provide any kind of real security in these locks. This is what set the old time locksmiths apart from other craftsmen. Locks have been around since the time of the Egyptians. They made them out of wood to lock the doors of the tombs. Keep in mind that it was not the locks that kept people out but the curse that was attached to it. Thanks for reading. HAGD.

Dicks lock Service

 

[72cheyenne]

i can use help identifying this keys date of manufacture and what type of lock it turned, this key was found where a key does not belong.

Great replies. This is a post bitted warded key most likely used in a mortise or a surface mounted rim warded lock on a door. I say most likely, but the lock could have been used in many applications for the time. This key could be made of brass, but it could be made of malleable iron as most of the older ones were made. See if you can find any mould marks along the length of key as if it was moulded. This is how a brass or malleable iron key would be made. A small scratch could be used to expose new surface metal to determine the metal type. On rare occasions, I have been called to repair broken springs or asked to provide replacement locks and keys to some of these old locks on old homes. I have a set of warded Skeleton type keys in like new condition and can still get the mortise and rim mounted warded locks, how long I can continue to get these is anyones guess. Most of the skeleton keys I have are made of steel today. As already stated by the others, these keys are most difficult to identify and date as to what the exact lock application they were used in. The type and design is very old and did not change much through out several centuries, but like I said, they are still being used some what today. It could take a great deal of time and imagination to design the wards in the lock to provide any kind of real security in these locks. This is what set the old time locksmiths apart from other craftsmen. Locks have been around since the time of the Egyptians. They made them out of wood to the lock the doors of the tombs. Keep in mind that it was not the locks that kept people out but the curse that was attached to it. Thanks for reading. HAGD.

Dicks lock Service

Great reply and info Dick. Its amazing at the variety of expertise that we have here at Tnet.

 

[NHBandit]

So is where it was found a secret? Just curious.

 

[mojjax]

Here is a similar style from an 1890's catalogue

 

[dick99344]

Here is a similar style from an 1890's catalogue

The lock pictured is a 3 lever mortise lock. You can see the levers just under the 5349 number shown. There is a ward cut on either side of the bit blade and three lever cuts on the end of the bit blade on the key. This is a very nice example of what was available back then and a fine example of the technology being used. This lock used a spring latch when the deadbolt was not thrown.. Thanks for the picture.

Dicks Lock Service

 

[allen]

that is excatly like the one i found 2 years ago
in a small wooded area of about 2500 acres !!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Nice to have a locksmith in the group.

If you have any questions Kiddrock, now is the time to ask while Dick is online.


Green check please.

 

[aaaaaaa]

Here is a similar style from an 1890's catalogue

Same type of locks (albeit a lot less ornate) are still available and in regular use over here.

 

[baddley]

I found this one today and was wondering if anyone knew the possible age on it?

Thanks
Scott

 

[piegrande]

Just an opinion, 2500 acres is not small, that is more then 4 square miles.