Decent Couple Hours!

[romeo-1]

Decent Couple Hours! - Iron Key...Before and After!

Had a few hours this morning so went to one of my favorite sites. This site has been producing for 2 years now and continues to do so. Button is a French Marines button. Also found a lead musket flint wrap which was probably for a pistol. Find of the day for me was the huge iron key...I know nothing about this type of key and am curious as to the age.

---Updated with restored pic---

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[19cbb]

That's one HUGE iron key!
Very nice.

 

[BosnMate]

I love that key. Somebody sure had a big, hefty lock. The rest of the stuff looks pretty good to me also. I've never found a lead flint holder, so that's on my list.

 

[romeo-1]

I love that key. Somebody sure had a big, hefty lock. The rest of the stuff looks pretty good to me also. I've never found a lead flint holder, so that's on my list.

I looked for the flint too but did not find it...I did find a flint wrapper with the flint still wrapped a couple years ago...

 

[greengold]

Maybe the key goes to a large chest nearby filled with Gold.......... or maybe its just a large rusty key, either way its pretty cool.

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I would be interested in a cleaned up pic of the key. That thing is pretty cool


VPR

 

[digdug44]

Awesome key!! Congrats!

 

[romeo-1]

I would be interested in a cleaned up pic of the key. That thing is pretty cool


VPR

I've got a friend who does electrolysis for me...it will be going to him soon. He's the one who did the lock for me that I found this fall.

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I've got a friend who does electrolysis for me...it will be going to him soon. He's the one who did the lock for me that I found this fall.

Cant wait to see the results!

VPR

 

[steelheadwill]

Very interesting key.
I have a brass one of similar size, it has a bitted end, the usual 'skeleton key' design, where the bits correspond to the wards inside the lock so only the right key would function.
I've seen unbitted keys with the angled flange like yours, only in smaller sizes though..
maybe these are 'blanks' that were yet to be bitted, or for a simple low security lock to keep honest people out....
warded locks were common in medieval times, and much earlier in China.
handmade locks were usually begun by making the key first then building the lock around it.
After cleaning you may see that your keys handle is designed to pivot back on the shaft.
I can't find much info on unbitted keys or the locks they would fit, except in small sizes.
Nice recoveries! thanks for sharing

 

[CRUSADER]

Very cool key, I look forward to the 'clean' update to this post!

 

[Iron Patch]

I'd say it was the key to the cell that locked up the Acadians.

 

[oldsalty19]

wouldn't you love to find the strong box that the key fits ? HH

 

[Beercanman]

I found a big key last week. I was told probably early 1800s and maybe a church key? Mine had holes in the key hiding under the rust.

 

[Valley Ranger]

That key would be a great candidate for an apple cider vinegar bath.

 

[skateandcreate]

Love that key! Can't wait for the update.

 

[romeo-1]

Here is the finished product!

 

[recondigger]

That is a awesome key

Scouts out!

 

[CoilyGirl]

Wow,the electrolysis did the job!

 

[romeo-1]

Wow,the electrolysis did the job!

Actually I used apple cider vinegar!