Chubb key with bridge ward .

Paul Prescott

Here is an example of a great rarity, a Chubb New Patent key with the addition of a bridge ward. Such wards were used to defeat the method of picking that Thomas Hart had developed in the 1830’s.

magpie

Very nice key! I have a similar one, which has the same ward arrangement, but is marked Chubb’s Improved Patent London. It does not have an address on the reverse. It is 4.25 inces long. It seems that Chubb were using this added ward protection before and after the transition to their New Patent.
In the second photo, are four keys that I am assuming were all made by Chubb. These were bought together on a bunch. The first is an Improved Patent safe key, with the often seen knurling on one of the bands turned into the stem. The second seems to be an early Chubb key, without any markings, but including a simple ward, and wire bow. It is 3.5 inches. The third and fourth keys share the similar bow and turning with the second key, but also have the double bullet warding that is seen in many Chubb keys. The fouth key has the type of bridge warding seen in early sets of single tumbler locks (non-Chubb), that operated to a master key.

Paul Prescott

Nice keys, thanks for posting them.

Is there a number on the bit of that second key ?

I have a key of that type and it is numbered on the bit, with that ward it is going to have been for one of the very earliest chubb original patent locks. A great pity you don’t have the lock !!

magpie

Unfortunately, this key has no number on the bit. Maybe the customer asked for an extra key at a later date, and the number was not stamped on it.
The fourth key has 29 stamped on the bit, but I think this is a suite number, rather than a lock number. It is not early enough to be for lock No. 29.

Paul Prescott

I would concur a short number on a bit + the warding would confirm that the key was for a lock on a master keyed suite.

Brian Denyer

Here is a Chubb key from my collection. It is made of highly tempered steel and about 6 inches long.

EuropeLocks

Here are two keys that are similar to the one pictured here. The large one (1st & 2nd pictures) say Chubb’s New Patent on one side and 57st Pauls CH YD London. The H and D are smaller letters. THe second key says Chubb’s Patent on one side and the same as the first one on the second side.