What kind of key?

[gary s fl]

Anyone recognize this key? Probably not a clock winder as most are female. Made of non-ferrous gray metal.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

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

[bradyboy]

turn key for a sardine can
Brady

 

[aaaaaaa]

turn key for a sardine can
Brady

A bit big for that?
The ones I know have a kind of slot in the "business end" too..

 

[Chug And Red]

i was thinking sardine can also!!! can we see a side view or does it have a slot at the end

 

[kenley]

Maybe roller skate key?

 

[diggummup]

Is the business end square and hollow? Here is a photo of some old skate keys-

 

[gary s fl]

I think the solid business end was orginally squared off with straight edges but the corrosion makes it difficult to tell. It seems a bit thin for a skate key and probably too large for a sardine can key plus it doesn't have a slot of any type. This was the second one of these that I found at this dairy farm site that dates to 1900 or possible before. Half of the shaft of the first one was snapped off. Thanks for the input.

The second pic is the broken off business end of the first key I found.