What in the world did this key go to? CSA gold cache strongbox?

[Foster]

Found this solid brass key a while back. What did it unlock

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Family Maps of Hinds County, Mississippi, Deluxe Edition - Grab it through Amazon!

[creskol]

Looks like a big watch/station clock key. The smaller hole would slip over a pin, and when the key was turned, the pin would validate the watchman's beat card with the station number and time.

 

[Foster]

Looks like a big watch/station clock key. The smaller hole would slip over a pin, and when the key was turned, the pin would validate the watchman's beat card with the station number and time.

Could be. Was found at a site that has produced relics and coins from the mid 1800's. A railroad is a half a mile away, that was used a supply route for the CSA. Found all that info in the OR's.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

We have a locksmith as a member that repairs old locks and could tell you exactly what it is but I forgot his name.

According to my book it looks to be a chest lock or padlock key. But Im only looking a pictures in a book. I would like to hear more about the clock/watchman thing.

 

[sniffer]

since it was found near the railroad, it could be a key for the mail car on an old train

 

[Sky Pilot]

We have a locksmith as a member that repairs old locks and could tell you exactly what it is but I forgot his name.

According to my book it looks to be a chest lock or padlock key. But Im only looking a pictures in a book. I would like to hear more about the clock/watchman thing.

AU24K is a locksmith, is that who you were thinking of Big Cypress?

 

[Foster]

We have a locksmith as a member that repairs old locks and could tell you exactly what it is but I forgot his name.

According to my book it looks to be a chest lock or padlock key. But Im only looking a pictures in a book. I would like to hear more about the clock/watchman thing.

AU24K is a locksmith, is that who you were thinking of Big Cypress?

Thanks! I sent AU24K a message.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

We have a locksmith as a member that repairs old locks and could tell you exactly what it is but I forgot his name.

According to my book it looks to be a chest lock or padlock key. But Im only looking a pictures in a book. I would like to hear more about the clock/watchman thing.

AU24K is a locksmith, is that who you were thinking of Big Cypress?

I was thinking of someone else.

 

[Foster]

I haven't found anything like it on the web. Wish I knew the significance of the "186"

 

[AU24K]

Being over 5 inches long, I don't think that it went to any type of padlock.

As was mentioned earlier, it's possibly a train switch lock key or a jail key.

The "186" might be the code for the "bitting" cut into the end to make duplicating possible or the key blank number.

Hope this helps!

Best Wishes,
Scott

 

[Foster]

Being over 5 inches long, I don't think that it went to any type of padlock.

As was mentioned earlier, it's possibly a train switch lock key or a jail key.

The "186" might be the code for the "bitting" cut into the end to make duplicating possible or the key blank number.

Hope this helps!

Best Wishes,
Scott

Thanks!

 

[Sky Pilot]

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Being over 5 inches long, I don't think that it went to any type of padlock.

As was mentioned earlier, it's possibly a train switch lock key or a jail key.

The "186" might be the code for the "bitting" cut into the end to make duplicating possible or the key blank number.

Hope this helps!

Best Wishes,
Scott

Thanks for helping. When I get a chance, Ill take a picture from my book. Im not sure it says sizes but has some similar keys pictured.

The locksmith I was thinking of is dick99344 from Dicks Lock Service. As I recall he works on old locks.

 

[AU24K]

Being over 5 inches long, I don't think that it went to any type of padlock.

As was mentioned earlier, it's possibly a train switch lock key or a jail key.

The "186" might be the code for the "bitting" cut into the end to make duplicating possible or the key blank number.

Hope this helps!

Best Wishes,
Scott

Thanks for helping. When I get a chance, Ill take a picture from my book. Im not sure it says sizes but has some similar keys pictured.

The locksmith I was thinking of is dick99344 from Dicks Lock Service. As I recall he works on old locks.

There's also someone named "Lockman...something?"

But, I may need, from time to time, to communicate with these fellow Locksmiths on parts, etc.
(I've actually talked to companies I'm trying to get parts for a lock and they said, "Yeah, we got one, but it's in our museum.")
Thanks, Big Cy!

By the way, Foster, did you find that key with your metal detector? If so, man, that must be a great location for searching! I'd be hitting it "grid-like!"

Best,
Scott

 

[Foster]

Yes, I did find it with my metal detector. It is a prime site. No structure standing, or signs of a structure. Just know it was a large house, due to the brick, glassware, pottery, and other relics. Only way I knew there was something there in the past was the Crepe Myrtles growing in the pasture.

 

[TimC]

It looks to me like a warded barrel key. The cut-outs are cut to pass over "wards". Wards are bumps or raised parts in the lock to keep other similar keys from working. The end of the blade goes into a slot in the bolt and pushes the bolt in, or out, of the fixed part of the thing it is locking. If the slots were in the end of the blade the slots would raise the tumblers the amount of the cuts to allow a pin in the bolt to properly line up with a slot in the tumblers before the bolt slides over. Your key has numbers that apper to be stamped in. It could be the code for the cuts. The key probably is for a lock on a desk or in a cabinet. The hole in the end goes over a pin to line up the key to be accurate. I hope my explanation helps. Unfortunately, a strongbox lock would have tumblers in it to be more secure. But, who knows, maybe someone locked up all their gold in their desk.
TimC

 

[Foster]

It looks to me like a warded barrel key. The cut-outs are cut to pass over "wards". Wards are bumps or raised parts in the lock to keep other similar keys from working. The end of the blade goes into a slot in the bolt and pushes the bolt in, or out, of the fixed part of the thing it is locking. If the slots were in the end of the blade the slots would raise the tumblers the amount of the cuts to allow a pin in the bolt to properly line up with a slot in the tumblers before the bolt slides over. Your key has numbers that apper to be stamped in. It could be the code for the cuts. The key probably is for a lock on a desk or in a cabinet. The hole in the end goes over a pin to line up the key to be accurate. I hope my explanation helps. Unfortunately, a strongbox lock would have tumblers in it to be more secure. But, who knows, maybe someone locked up all their gold in their desk.
TimC

Thanks Tim! Just playing the devil's advocate, but would a desk key have been that large? Everything else found in the area dates in the early to mid 1800's

 

[TimC]

I/m sorry Foster, I don't get on the Tnet real often. You make a good point, it is large for a desk key. I've seen Mexican padlocks almost as big as dinner plates. When I had my lock shop open in the 70's a neighborhood boy, about 12 yrs old, with a last name of Key brought his dads padlock collection for me to see. The key could be for something like that. I'll check around.
TimC