Love to have some help identifying this key

Randy

This is a key I came across a couple days ago, was hoping that someone would have some info that they can share with me about it, I dont know if its the real deal or a knockoff. Its 7 inches long and weighs 140 grams. It seems to be cast iron, on one side there are what looks to be 3 little brass dots, im thinking maybe there were little brass screws in it but cant tell for sure. I have some pics of it put on. Any info would surely be appreciated. Thx

Scott Klemm

You were right to suspect that the key might be a “knockoff.” I have the same identical key (minus the holes) that was given to me. The holes may have been made by the previous owner for mounting. It came in a box that said: “Key to Colonial Hospitality. Keys to the large locks used on many colonial mansions like this one from a famous old Virginia home. Instead of letting it wear a hole in your pcket, use it to weight down papers on your desk. Often used today as ‘The Key to the city.’” The initials VM is the only clue to the manufacturer or distributor. I took a picture of mine for your examination.

Hope this helps.
Scott

Randy

Hi Scott,
Thanks for the info , I had my suspicions about it especially when I seen the little brass pieces inserted in it, but was really wishing it was real lol. Still looks cool and I got it for nothing so can’t complain for sure. Can’t see the pic of yours tho, am I supposed to do anything , as you know I’m only a rookie on this site and being in my golden years the old grey matter is not what it used to be.

Thanks again
Randy

Scott Klemm

I’ll try again to post the image. I’m glad I was able to help.
Scott

Dean Nickel

The main thing to look for is the casting marks on the edge of the key flag and the fact that it hasn’t been used. That would be my first clue that the key is not real or not been used in a lock. The second part is that the hole is tapered and looks as pointed out to be a mounting hole.

The second key is much cleaner and could be a real key if you didn’t look too close.

Randy

Thanks for all your help, and Scott I can see the pic of your key now as well, and it do definitely look like what I have, I will use it as an ornament and keep looking for the real deal. Thanks again Randy

Brian Denyer

I have 2 types of this key and one was used as a key with acquired wear patterns.
I think they may have taken a local key and modified it for sand casting?

Brian ……………………………….

Richard Phillips

When I first visited Edinburgh in the ’60s I bought a key ‘from the old jail’ demolished in 1920’s. In fact, it’s cast iron (damning!) and it’s original pattern is a french key. I have since since examples of this, and a couple of other patterns of cast replica key, sold to gullible people. I also have some castiron bridge ward keys 11″ and 14″ long. Thes were made a shop signs for ironmongers, the 19C ‘keys made here’ sign. Today such signs are typically plastic or cardboard and usually in the form of a giant pin tumbler key, and we readily recognise they are not real functional keys. Not always so easy with older keys.

Tom Gordon

I think I have the lead patterns for those long bridge warded keys. At what point does it become fake -does it depend on when it was made? Whether it was from the original pattern or a copy of a manufactured key? Difficult questions.
Certainly looking for wear is important to verify that it worked a lock. Looking for technical functional ability of the various parts of each key shows whether it wa sever intended to be a real lock. Signs of age enthuise us. Pasrticularly on the oldest peices you have to look at it with experience and understanding and make a personal decision on what percentage chance you beleive it is what you think it is.

Brian Denyer

Definately a casting. To help with removal of the casting out of the mold, parts of the edges are slanted.
A few of these keys had advertising logo’s on them. The surface has a coarse and I wouldn’t be surprised if you Wire Brushed it pieces of the casting sand came off? It is a nice key for a wall hanging.

Brian……………………….

Richard Phillips

Tom Gordon wrote
I think I have the lead patterns for those long bridge warded keys. At what point does it become fake -does it depend on when it was made? Whether it was from the original pattern or a copy of a manufactured key? Difficult questions.
Certainly looking for wear is important to verify that it worked a lock.

I suggest a key made with intent to deceive that it really is an old actual working key should be described as a fake. Particularly overlarge items are commonly made as decorative display items.
Tom has probably seen my key sign keys - they are clearly not working keys, but not for interior decoration either. Some wag has stamped ’TRAITOR’S GATE’ on one of them.

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