🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Large Iron Key

[tamrock]

I look for treasure in thrift stores, because its fascinating what people get rid of. It's just tons of stuff one can find and even if I don't buy anything it clears my mind to reminisce over the many articles that are pretty much a time-line of merchandise in the way of gadgets, gizmos and gotta have its people have owed and own no more. I have found things that were made in the 18th century all the way up to the present year. This old key was marks .99 cents. It's just under 7-1/4" in length. I've looked online and it doesn't seem you find a great deal on when and what these old keys were for and used, but the ones I see for sale call them jailers keys or old gate keys. They claim ages from the 18th on into the early 19th for keys like this. Hopefully some of you have a bit more knowledge on old keys. I do not see any markings, but maybe there might be, as it does have a fair amount of rust on it. Also I'd like to get a few opinions on whether or not it might be cleaned?
Thanks! GB

 

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[ARC]

 

[tamrock]

Huh, dang near the same key. Any info on that image?

 

[ticndig]

jail cell key

 

[ARC]

Huh, dang near the same key. Any info on that image?

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[tamrock]

One LARGE Vintage Skeleton Key Old Rusty Iron Antique Prison Jail Cell Key LK37 | eBay

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That's how they've been labeling them as jailers keys it seems. Any ideas on how old it might be?

 

[jcc]

The key implies that the matching lock wasn't heavily warded, at least in the way most warded locks operate. (A warded lock has various obstructions or wards to prevent the lock opening without the correct key, usually corresponding to notches in the key). The curve at the end could be part of the warding forcing you to conform to the keyway. Square stem not round is odd. Possibly lock and key made by a blacksmith, not a true locksmith. It lacks a certain sophistication.

 

[jcc]

The ninety-degree bend in ARC's key image may be just to stiffen the bit.