Anyone know anything about keys ?

[AstralDruid]

Just out of the vinegar and a bit of buffing.. found beside a big beech tree in an old forest. 5 inches down.
All i know is they open locks, and close them, but i find them interesting.

 

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[RVRoamer74]

Wow! That's a massive old key. Never know, could have been a key to a Castle or something. Wtg on the save.

 

[DetecTom]

Maybe it opens an old chest that you’ll find on your next hunt. Really cool looking key though.

 

[AstralDruid]

I like both of those suggestions... The forest is actually inbetween three castles...not further than 2 miles form any of the three.. Probably a restricted detection area, never checked...

 

[Mackaydon]

Can you rule out it's not a decorative craft's key used for home wall decor?
Don.......

 

[AstralDruid]

Can you rule out it's not a decorative craft's key used for home wall decor?
Don.......

probably can't no..
But why would someone be carrying a decorative craft key so far into the forest ?
And it looks like it has been used/worn...

 

[the_mad_cladder]

That’s a huge key. That would have to be for a wide door I would think. If I had a treasure chest I sure wouldn’t wanna have that big of a key for it.... easy found and used to rob it. If it wasn’t a decorative piece it is now. Cool find

 

[villagenut]

I think the tape measure used here might be in centimeters so it probably is NOT 13 inches long.....

 

[Rookster]

Nice key for sure. I've found several over the years but none with the loop. I definitely believe it opened a trunk or a door. Congratulations

 

[AstralDruid]

I think the tape measure used here might be in centimeters so it probably is NOT 13 inches long.....

Indeed , being in Europe we have used metric for the past 40 years...
It is in CM,, so just over 5 inches..
Didn't actually think anyone would expect a key 33cm long (13in)... but you live and learn..

 

[CRUSADER]

I would say 19th C.

 

[A2coins]

I have yet to find a Skeleton key. I would l;ove to live in a Castle gotta go see if it fits you could be the Guy living in the attic come out in the middle of the night forrage for food and make all the creeking noises lol Nice find

 

[mirage83]

Didn't actually think anyone would expect a key 33cm long (13in)... but you live and learn..

That may have been what was leading some of us to speculate on it being decorative rather than functional, as a 13" key would be a little awkward to carry around. And can you imagine the size and weight of a key ring for that sucker?

 

[dognose]

Interesting find, can you determine what the key is made of?

Are the castles in the area open for touring? Is it possible to take the key and ask an administrator if they have a similar key?

 

[AstralDruid]

Interesting find, can you determine what the key is made of?

Are the castles in the area open for touring? Is it possible to take the key and ask an administrator if they have a similar key?

It' s like forged iron, with a copper line running the length of it,..

The castles are in various states of existence, one is nothing more than a few lower wall bits'n'pieces, a complete ruin, next up is a 'tourist type', open to view semi ruin. Third up is a working farm with a weird cult living in it, with their own king etc..they bought the Chateau grounds and all,, weirdos... have met them all, not my type.
Last one is appartments, in Switzerland, have a view of it, sitting on the hill, from my living room, only 800m from my house.
Could be a church key.. we have so many of those around too...

 

[ROIGuy]

Really neat find. Cleaned up beautifully but still shows age.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Beautiful old key and cleaned up nicely too.

 

[Trezurehunter]

That is a nice old skeleton key. Very nice find.

 

[AstralDruid]

Thanks for the comments folks.

Can i ask, a few of you have mentioned 'skeleton key'... why so ? .. i am not familiar with this, how can you tell it is one..?

 

[mirage83]

Thanks for the comments folks.

Can i ask, a few of you have mentioned 'skeleton key'... why so ? .. i am not familiar with this, how can you tell it is one..?

The one in the OP is a typical skeleton key. A loop at one end is common, with a relatively long straight shank and then a small block at the end with one or more cuts in the block to match the lock it fits.
Here are some rather ornate ones...