Found a skeleten key with numbers need help ?

[Mike in Berks]

I found this key on Wednesday-14th I've found a few brass keys like
this one before but not bent like this one It's been in the ground pretty long
I'm wondering if it can be straightened again in some way or will it SNAP ?

It has two numbers on it an 8 and a 5 or 9 anyone know what the no's.
represent style no. ? year it was made ? any help appreciated

 

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[allen_idaho]

Yes, you should be able to straighten that key without too much trouble. Brass is very malleable. I'd suggest you put one end in a vise, heat the metal lightly with a small propane torch or oxy-acetylene rig and bend it back into shape slowly with a pair of pliers.

Just don't force it and don't overheat it.

 

[Mike in Berks]

well, after i saw 70 people viewed my post and no replies i got a little impatient
and i took a risk i took a hammer to it about 6 light taps an now it's straight
enough for the display case now i wanna make it shine so it stands out
allen_ idaho thank you for the reply and the good advise i wish i would've waited
till tomorrow at least i'm luckily it worked.......this time here's how it turned out

Treasure Tales thanks for your input you,re right an old place 1851 two family house
demolished late last year an yes the bend is unique - if it was for me but, i'll be giving this one
away The more i think about the numbers maybe the no's. on the key match the lock it opened ?
Don't we have any locksmiths on t - net ? HH everybody 4/DB

 

[Marc(NB)]

nice key,but the patina looked great ,before the cleaning.....

 

[Mainedigger]

You did a nice job of straightening it out. As for getting it to shine, how about lots of Brass-O?

Noxon will work well too....place the key on a folded up paper towel or napkin then cover it in Noxon and let it soak overnight and then buff it up, repeat as needed...this should bring back most of the brass luster. Nice find too!!

 

[Mike in Berks]

nice key,but the patina looked great ,before the cleaning.....

i agree with you MARK(NB) but this key is different i want it to stand out
in the display case i want this one to shine HH 4/DB

 

[Mike in Berks]

You did a nice job of straightening it out. As for getting it to shine, how about lots of Brass-O?

Noxon will work well too....place the key on a folded up paper towel or napkin then cover it in Noxon and let it soak overnight and then buff it up, repeat as needed...this should bring back most of the brass luster. Nice find too!!

Thank you for the advice Mainedigger i haven't heard of that product before but i'll look into it

HH 4/DB

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

You could clean it with a hi-speed wire wheel, if you insist.

I saw skeleton keys with numbers somewhere but cant remember, so i didnt say anything.

 

[Jagdpanther]

We rented a house in Germany a few years back and all of the inside doors had skeleton keys that were numbered. We figured out that there were a series of 5 different locks in the house and each series had a numbered key that would work the lock. So a #4 key from the basement would open the #4 lock in other parts of the house. Twenty or so doors but only five different lock setups.

 

[Mike in Berks]

We rented a house in Germany a few years back and all of the inside doors had skeleton keys that were numbered. We figured out that there were a series of 5 different locks in the house and each series had a numbered key that would work the lock. So a #4 key from the basement would open the #4 lock in other parts of the house. Twenty or so doors but only five different lock setups.

thanks for the reply grndfisher makes sense to me i learned a few things about locks on this post
and i learned it on T - Net hmmmmmm, time for a check mark (solved) ?
any other ideas or advise i'm all ears / eyes but i believe grndfisher got it

HH 4/DB

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I cant find any key with numbers but I have seen one somewhere. Here is one of mine made of steel but with no number. Yours seems very commonly square on the bit end.

 

[AU Seeker]

4/DB,

On original modern keys the numbers are "cut codes" that a locksmith can use to make a key without the orginal key.

Not sure about old keys.

A little tip, document the "cut codes and the make of your locks" on your "orginal keys", and then if you lose them you can have another made.


Skip

 

[Mike in Berks]

I cant find any key with numbers but I have seen one somewhere. Here is one of mine made of steel but with no number. Yours seems very commonly square on the bit end.

nice key !! bigcypresshunter on mine both ends taper inward an there's one small litte notch in the one corner
i've dug quite a few skeletons and this is the most common i've found

HH 4/DB

 

[Mike in Berks]

4/DB,

On original modern keys the numbers are "cut codes" that a locksmith can use to make a key without the orginal key.

Not sure about old keys.

A little tip, document the "cut codes and the make of your locks" on your "orginal keys", and then if you lose them you can have another made.


Skip

Thanks for the reply AU Seeker i'm not sure about the old ones either and i was aware of the cut codes
on the newer keys i try to always have a spare incase i lose the one i use thanks for the tip though

HH 4/DB

 

[flyinguy]

no wire wheel on that key! gently with jewelers rouge and a cloth buffer. eletrolisis will get the heavy stuff off first. a wire wheel will chew up the metal.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

no wire wheel on that key! gently with jewelers rouge and a cloth buffer. eletrolisis will get the heavy stuff off first. a wire wheel will chew up the metal.

I would suggest to leave the patina. He insisted on cleaning and it is already severely pitted, so i thought "what the heck". I have used a wheel gently for brass objects with success. . Electrolysis doesnt work well on copper or brass you know. Maybe some type of brasso or copper cleaner. But would be hard to clean with the pittings. Some kind of soak maybe. Peroxide bath?