hand-cut keys

[scratcher]

Can anyone give me a date range on keys like these? They were found together in an area producing War of 1812 and fur trade relics. Any clues on what kind of locks they were used on? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

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[Montana Jim]

OMG... those iron keys are awesome...

They look colonial... but I don't know.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

i have no clue either, but i am in love with that lower key...imagine what the tumblers must look like...

 

[lostcauses]

tumbler was simple, One. These are cut for a gateway. Diferent on the one, I have no idea how old. Neat items, thanks for posting them.

 

[seger98]

Those are the neatest keys I've seen on here!

 

[Goodyguy]

I think banner!

 

[scratcher]

thanks for the comments, when these came out of electrolysis I about flipped out. I knew they were old before cleaning but i had no idea they were hand cut. It took me about three days to get the rust picked out of the patterns in between the tank treatments. Definetly one of my favorite finds.

 

[cw0909]

the neatist key ive ever seen, wonder what that lock locked up.
also wonder if the lock would be harder to pick, with that kind of
tumbler the key fits
this guy g. taylor has, some keys sorta like yours
a couple of the ones ,that sorta look like yours, are from the 1700s
he has a store on ebay

 

[scratcher]

tumbler was simple, One. These are cut for a gateway. Diferent on the one, I have no idea how old. Neat items, thanks for posting them.

Lostcauses, can you explain what a gateway is to me. I'm clueless when it comes to lock terminology. Thanks in advance.

 

[detector de metales]

now those would make a good keyfob for the car keys!
Nice finds!
J2

 

[boogeyman]

tumbler was simple, One. These are cut for a gateway. Diferent on the one, I have no idea how old. Neat items, thanks for posting them.

Lostcauses, can you explain what a gateway is to me. I'm clueless when it comes to lock terminology. Thanks in advance.

Scratcher, The correct term is bit, a bit lock has wards that look like bumps. The key when turned has to be cut to pass these wards to operate the lock. Here's a simpler example. Here's a drawing of how they work (my artistic ability stinks). One trick the bad guys used to use was to cut one of these keys with the biggest cuts as possible yet leaving enough to work the lock. These got the name skeleton keys. Hope that helps explain for you!

 

[scratcher]

Thanks for the info boogeyman. I think I understand what you mean. Would keys as big as this larger example be used on padlocks? or door type locks?

 

[boogeyman]

Both. Here's one of the same type that I have in my collection. I've got an example of a door lock in the garage (tons of boxes )

I added another drawing to the last reply to try & help clarify.

 

[72cheyenne]

Awesome keys scratcher!! WTG.

 

[jimbob450]

Those keys are awesome. Banner. Jimbob

 

[Mich. Wolverine]

Boogyman. I had to change a spring in my turn of the century skeleton key door lock. It's a pretty simple locking mechanism. My question is, since the wards are shorter than the cuts in the key. Are these fancy cut designs made to identify what the key opened?

Scratcher awesome keys!!

Wolverine.

 

[lostcauses]

boogeyman thanks for correcting gateway to ward, I do have me moments, LOL And I am not even using a gateway to post... ROTFLOL

 

[cw0909]

Scratcher sorry thought i had posted the link
http://stores.shop.ebay.com.sg/GTAYLORS-AntiqueKeys-More__W0QQ_armrsZ1

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

tumbler was simple, One. These are cut for a gateway. Diferent on the one, I have no idea how old. Neat items, thanks for posting them.

Lostcauses, can you explain what a gateway is to me. I'm clueless when it comes to lock terminology. Thanks in advance.

Scratcher, The correct term is bit, a bit lock has wards that look like bumps. The key when turned has to be cut to pass these wards to operate the lock. Here's a simpler example. Here's a drawing of how they work (my artistic ability stinks). One trick the bad guys used to use was to cut one of these keys with the biggest cuts as possible yet leaving enough to work the lock. These got the name skeleton keys. Hope that helps explain for you!

Interesting, learn something every day.

have a good un.
SHERMANVILLE

 

[scratcher]

Thanks cw0909, I looked on ebay when you posted, but couldn't find it. I did manage to find this awesome site below while researching:

http://www.aschkenes.com/12th-15th Century Keys 2.htm

There is also a 16th to 19th century section . I can see where these keys I found are similiar to keys from both groups. I doubt if anyone could definitively date them, but I might try sending some pictures to the people from this site to see what they have to say.