12 Inch key

TurnKey

Hello all, I’m a new member to this forum & look forward to exchanging posts with you all.

Thought I’d kickstart my membership with showing you this key, the largest in my collection at 12 inches. I must confess I know little about this hobby so I can’t say if this is a decorative item or a proper key. Perhaps someone here knows?

I’ll share more of my collection later.

Bye for now!

Paul Prescott

It’s a decorative item only. Proper keys that size are very rare.

TurnKey

Thanks for the reply. Can’t say I’m that surprised, never mind its still a nice item. Out of interest is there any way to tell a ‘proper’ key from an ornament?

Well here’s the next item in my collection…its my favourite key - 7 inches with a wonderful patina (right word…I don’t know :? :lol: ). Any clue how old this might be or where it might have been used?

Tom Gordon

Experience of keys and mechanisms will normally make it clear what is decorative and what is functional.
Although your 2nd key is probably a british cast iron one which has been made like that for 150 years, I have brand new blanks and “precast keys” that are little different. The locks have been available new until quite recently and the keys still are. I have the pattern makers lead patterns. The turned ornamentation means that it is unlikely to be particularly new but you could see that from the patina. Used on large locks on large doors ie farms, castles, churches….

TurnKey

oldlock wrote
It’s a decorative item only. Proper keys that size are very rare.

Is there some way to determine the decorative from the rare? I mean could this be a real key?

Tom Gordon

No
Understand the function of every part of a key and you will understand whether the key has functional bits or merely pretty bits
Cheers
Tom

TurnKey

Tom Gordon wrote
No
Understand the function of every part of a key and you will understand whether the key has functional bits or merely pretty bits
Cheers
Tom

:? Not sure I get that…care to expand?

Tom Gordon

The different parts of the key are formed to suit specific purposes within the lock. When you understand why each part is fashioned like that then you can tell whether the key was cut to work a lock or whether the combination of different variations on the key seem odd and lacking realistic function.

TurnKey

OK, I certainly get that each bit of the key has a job to do - I just don’t see what part of this key looks ‘wrong’. I’m guessing, but your replies seem to imply that you’re seeing something about the key that I don’t & to clear up that niggle would you mind explaining what makes you believe the key is decorative (I’m not questioning if you are right or not but I’d like to understand how you reached that conclusion). Its an interesting point, to me anyway, and possibly to others viewing this topic. 🙂

Tom Gordon

Things like:
the key is not cut-it is cast complete with the pretty bits
the bearing where the case touches is tapered near the end of the key
the collar face is not flat (another bearing)
the “cuts” are shaped in an unlikely manner and not cleaned out
to be both fancy and a real key would be uncommon unless it was incredibly special -they are normally functional objects