Slave key?

[relichunters]

Found this key at a mansion built in 1790, it had a slave quarters in the back. The owners had found slave handcuffs awhile back, and this appears to be the right kind, but also may be a door key for like a skeleton key lock. I think it's brass. Any ideas?

 

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[Lucas]

Typical indoor lock key, late 1800's to now.

 

[littleneckhalfshell]

skeleton key lock, but are you sure about the brass statement? That looks like rust and some worn off black paint, I didn't see anything there that looked like brass, I would check the key with a magnet and see if it is magnetic, if so, then it is not brass.

 

[relichunters]

I just tried a very strong magnet to it and it slides off, no magnetic at all. I was just guessing brass, I know it's not iron. It's starting to oxide from being in the ground.

 

[Gypsy Heart]

I just wanted to make a note here ,that genuine slave shackles usually had a different type key....as shown in the pics below

 

[relichunters]

Alright so we know it's not a slave cuff key, most likely a door key to the original building that was tore down, it was next to the old structure. Any more information on it? material it's made of? and a good date range?

 

[RPG]

Alright so we know it's not a slave cuff key, most likely a door key to the original building that was tore down, it was next to the old structure. Any more information on it? material it's made of? and a good date range?

I would say late 1800's, early 1900's, but could be wrong. My grandmother had keys similar to that when I was young, but they were more ornate. That one is not, which may be a factor in the age of it. The material, I'd say is brass because of the patina showing in spots. The rust colored part could be from being in the ground with iron close by. Very nice addition to your collection. I love old keys.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Typical indoor lock key, late 1800's to now.

Yep. Looks like a typical mortise door lock.

 

[dick99344]

Typical indoor lock key, late 1800's to now.

Yep. Looks like a typical mortise door lock.

Good call. This is a post bitted key for a mortise lock like the one you pictured in your post. These were usually cast from malleable iron or brass with the malleable iron being the stronger of the two. They were made from many different metals to include stainless steel like some of the ones I have in stock today. A small scratch test will bring up new metal to the surface for metal ID.

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[Woodland Detectors]

I just wanted to make a note here ,that genuine slave shackles usually had a different type key....as shown in the pics below

Good example Gypsy!

I'm glad you kept the classic avatar!