What Kind of Key Is This?

[Erik in NJ]

It’s about 2” in length. I was surprised by the blob of rust. Was that an iron insert of some sort? Rest of the key has a beautifully uniform green patina.

 

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[jeff of pa]

sardine can key ? Probably Not But that's what it reminds me of.

Unless of course Someone Really Really Liked Sardines and Made their Own Key.
Perhaps thats why the Rust. if the Spot where the Slot is rusted

Someone else Posted one of them about a Year ago.
I thought it was a Broken Skeleton, But the end of Yours looks natural

 

[bowwinkles]

clock main spring winder key.

 

[Erik in NJ]

When I first saw it dirty I too thought it was from a sardine can or something . It wasn't until I cleaned it up that I realized it was actually quite a nicely crafted key. I'll have to find out what the iron bit is.

sardine can key ? Probably Not But that's what it reminds me of.

Unless of course Someone Really Really Liked Sardines and Made their Own Key.
Perhaps thats why the Rust. if the Spot where the Slot is rusted

Someone else Posted one of them about a Year ago.
I thought it was a Broken Skeleton, But the end of Yours looks natural

 

[Erik in NJ]

clock main spring winder key.

Thanks. Like most spring winder keys this one has no opening in the end. Any idea what the rust blob is?

 

[No gold in NY]

Did you dig this key? If so, the blob could be mostly dirt bound together with iron deposits. It could crumble away leaving the iron mostly intact. Perhaps a good soaking in one of those iron removal cleaners or plain vinegar.

 

[bowwinkles]

clock main spring winder key.

Some vintage clocks had the main spring riveted to the non removable key. I suspect the rust is the remnants of the spring.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I have to agree with No gold in NY, the rust blob is most likely just a piece that you can gently knock off with a hammer.

Beautiful looking padlock key Eric,
Dave

 

[jeff of pa]

When I first saw it dirty I too thought it was from a sardine can or something . It wasn't until I cleaned it up that I realized it was actually quite a nicely crafted key. I'll have to find out what the iron bit is.

Yea If there is a slot with a Piece of Tin from a Can Stuck in it, it could rust like that.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Yea If there is a slot with a Piece of Tin from a Can Stuck in it, it could rust like that.

I had no idea that some sardine cans came with a fancy looking brass key like this one?
I guess I always assumed they came with a cheaply made one out of stamped tin.

 

[jeff of pa]

I had know idea that some sardine cans came with a fancy looking brass key like this one?
I guess I always assumed they came with a cheaply made one out of stamped tin.

I Don't think Sardines Ever Did Come with a Key Like this,
Just thinking Outside the Box & wondering if Someone may have Ate Sardines Soo Much
they Made them, Like Trench art Or Prison Art
Probably Not, But Maybe LOL

 

[Fourman110]

With the shoulders along the key shaft one would think it wasn’t something that was routinely pushed into something like a key would. I suspect the user just turned or pulled it.

 

[jeff of pa]

I suppose I can't rule out environmental damage
but personally it looks to me like it may have been created by hand,
Or Grinder.



it's not machine quality.

I think it started as a regular skeleton key
and the bit was removed

 

[Deftone]

Maybe something like a worn down sewing machine key.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I Don't think Sardines Ever Did Come with a Key Like this,
Just thinking Outside the Box & wondering if Someone may have Ate Sardines Soo Much
they Made them, Like Trench art Or Prison Art
Probably Not, But Maybe LOL

Like like that Jeff... 'Prison Art Sardine Key'

 

[Madmox]

Maybe something like a worn down sewing machine key.

Wow... I never knew what a sewing machine key was... and I have several sewing machines. It totally looks like a sewing machine key.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Maybe something like a worn down sewing machine key.

Interesting...just looked at sewing machine treadle keys and the only problem is they have square or triangular ends. Under a high-quality 10x jeweler's loupe this key shows no real signs of have been square and stripped. There is quite a bit of wear on the end including the gouges, but I would think I could detect signs of stripping. The end of the key does not appear to have been filed down by hand. It might still be a sewing machine key, but I have yet to locate a match--so thank you for the lead. I think whatever is in that rust glob may hold a key to the mystery but I've yet the courage to smash it off. The key appears to be very well made and the patina is extraordinary leading me to believe it's on the old side--perhaps early to mid 1800s. Thanks again.

 

[Erik in NJ]

I Don't think Sardines Ever Did Come with a Key Like this,
Just thinking Outside the Box & wondering if Someone may have Ate Sardines Soo Much
they Made them, Like Trench art Or Prison Art
Probably Not, But Maybe LOL

Jeff, I suspect you like sardines (so do I!). I should send you some King Oscar Sardines for Xmas

 

[jeff of pa]

Jeff, I suspect you like sardines (so do I!). I should send you some King Oscar Sardines for Xmas

actually I don't . sardines never interested me
thanks for the thought though

 

[trdking]

i can't believe no-one has asked for the size? TO me the iron spot would be the paddle actuator low security pin or plate the round hole for the pin at the end would prevent just any old key from being inserted. I immediately thought watchman's key. Was this solved?