Jail door key? A few other objects

[gary s fl]

Found this old large brass key at an older park Saturday. It's 2-1/2" long. The no. 226 is stamped into the broad end and the same number is raised on end that enters the lock. There's also a bevel on the second narrow part that enters the lock. There had been a jail close to the park.

The 'J' shaped object is either brass or bronze, measures a tad over 2" long by 9/16" thick and weighs 3 oz. It looks like it may have been snapped off at the either end but more so on the short end. The hole on the bottom exits the back but does on run through the middle of the longer side.

The whitish unevenly round non-metal object has a couple of numbers on it that are barely visible. In the picture a pair of light white '5s' can be seen just left of center middle. The number may be part of a fraction. Weighs 3 grams.

The other round object is possibly an old ball bearing. The VID number is the same as a zinc or IH penny. It looks like it's made of steel but it isn't, it's non-magnetic. Weighs 17.7 grams. Were old ball bearings made from metals other than steel and did muzzler loaders use non-lead musket balls?

All the items were found at sites that date from the late 1800s to early 1900s.

Gary

 

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[scratcher]

I think the key is a time key, maybe? Nightwatchman's key that was used at various places along the route which showed he was there. Not sure though.

 

[lostcauses]

I think the key is a time key, maybe? Nightwatchman's key that was used at various places along the route which showed he was there. Not sure though.

Agreed,
the numbers on the tang would have printed on the paper as it was turned thus stamping number and time with it.

 

[gary s fl]

Lostcauses...you nailed it.
http://www.antiquetimeclocks.com/BundyK.jpg
http://www.antiquetimeclocks.com/Bundy4.jpg
http://www.antiquetimeclocks.com/Bundy6.jpg
Thanks guys for the input.

 

[creskol]

Hey Gary .. Since this is the What Is It Forum, I am curious

if you ever got an ID on the piece pictured in your avatar? I remember seeing it many moons ago on Toms's Treasures. That is an interesting piece for sure ! Thanks!

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

I think the key is a time key, maybe? Nightwatchman's key that was used at various places along the route which showed he was there. Not sure though.

Sounds good.

 

[gary s fl]

Creskol, I never did ID the avatar object but I believe it could be a one of a kind shipwreck medallion. I showed it to Robert Marx after a talk he gave in Palm Beach several years ago. He thought it was very old but didn't know anything else about it. It was found in an area along the FL coast where brass spikes, square nails and some silver coins were found in the 1980s. As I understand it, the Spanish generally didn't use brass spikes until the late 18th century but brass spikes were common among the British, Dutch, US, etc. so determining it's origin is probably impossible without a known match. One historian emailed after seeing it on Tom's Treasures. He said the shape could represent the letters CG and might have been made by a British Coldstream Guard soldier. He said it was not uncommon for British soldiers to make unique medallions for themselves but that may have been true for anyone. I've always thought that it looks somewhat oriental. I guess it wouldn't hurt to post it on this forum, who knows, there are a lot of knowledgeable folks here. Gary

 

[creskol]

Creskol, I never did ID the avatar object which I believe is a one of a kind shipwreck medallion. I showed it to Robert Marx after a talk he gave in Palm Beach several years ago. He thought it was very old but didn't know anything else about it. It was found in an area along the FL coast where brass spikes, square nails and some silver coins were found in the 1980s. As I understand it, the Spanish generally didn't use brass spikes until the late 18th century but brass spikes were common among the British, Dutch, US, etc. so determining it's origin is probably impossible without a known match. One historian emailed after seeing it on Tom's Treasures. He said the shape could represent the letters CG and might have been made by a British Coldstream Guard soldier. He said it was not uncommon for British soldiers to make unique medallions for themselves but that may have been true for anyone. I've always thought that it looks somewhat oriental. I guess it wouldn't hurt to post it on this forum, who knows, there are a lot of knowledgeable folks here. Gary

That is very interesting, Gary .. Thanks for the reply. I have thought about it many times and enjoyed seeing it. Seeing it here again was special! Good Luck with an eventual ID.

 

[seger98]

Very unique find, first one I ever seen!