Three french keys

forgottendoll

Hello friends!
I am interested to know more about these French keys if you can help me out. I find them a bit more special than the ones I am used to.
The rudimentary one in the left is 15 cm, the ornate middle one is 12 cm and the one in the right is 10.5 cm.
Any info is appreciated 🙂

forgottendoll

Talking to myself here LOL

But I found a very similar key to the one I have (in the middle of this group of three)
Look:
http://cgi.ebay.fr/CLE-ANCIENNE-3-SERRURERIE-XVIII-s-FER-FORGE-OLD-KEY-ALTEN-SCHLUSSEL-/160895523269

Dean Nickel

Sometimes it takes awhile for an answer. Some collectors don’t check in but once in a while or when they have time. The person that knows something will answer…. just maybe in a month or two I am sorry to say.

That middle key is nice. They are all warded keys from the look of them. The one on the left is a very basic key while the other two have some details that suggest a bit more complex lock or at least a bit more in the making of them.

forgottendoll

Thank you Halflock! Never mind the time it takes, I am grateful to be part of such a knowledgeble community and I’ve learned so much already. I am thinking of buying a few books about keys as I have none yet 🙂
Yes I like the middle one too, as it is more ornated than the usual ones I get. But I was curious about the other two also as I have a few similar ones and I don’t know how old they are, XVIIIth, XIXth century? Especially the right one has an interesting bit, do the teeth (sorry for the newbie terminology) mean it is lever type and warded too? I should have made a pic from that side too…
I will post more keys that I find a bit different very soon, I hope I won’t overwhelm this forum with my newbie questions 🙂

Dean Nickel

I also have a problem with age on some locks. Once you get out of the 1900s and before it gets harder as without markings or serial numbers or other things you just can’t pin it down to it was made between 1902-1914. In keys like the one on the left you would be lucky to say it was made in the last 300-400 years to today. Warded locks have been around for a long time and are still being made in some parts of the world today.

Scott Klemm

Halflock is correct in describing the difficulty in pinpointing a date for these type of keys. But, since no one else has responded, I will “stick out my neck” and venture a guess. I believe the first is probably 17-18th century and the other two are 18th-19th century. Also, unless you have specific information that they are French, I think it’s possible they could be central European (Germany/Austria). If others think I’m wrong, let’s hear from you.
Scott Klemm

Gerry

this are french keys, not german, or austria

17-18th century and 18-19th century is correct

Richard Phillips

Halflock is right, some members come infrequently.
These 3 are all warded, probably French. Dating is indeed difficult to be certain about. OP, look closely at the middle one: some of these have been copied in modern times by casting so look carefully for any sign of a line along the length. I can’t see any myself but I don’t have it in my hand.
If they are actually forged, then probably 18C. The ‘buffalo horn’ varieties of bow were probably originally Italian, but are also found on french keys. But similar keys could also be found in most of western Europe.

tentionfree

Dear I like the middle one too, as it is more ornated than the usual ones I get. But I was curious about the other two also as I have a few similar ones and I don’t know how old they are, XVIIIth, XIXth century? Especially the right one has an interesting bit, do the teeth mean it is lever type and warded too? I should have made a pic from that side too…?

james024

I never been seen a key like that and they are quite nice.In Finland i only notice safety stuff like ordianary <snip: commercial link removed> or locker and some vault but i also seen some weird key and they are awesome.

Gerry

hello,

nice to see how fascinated you are in this keys,
but they are very common in france.

some years ago i visited le puy and have seen
following keys in the cathedral museum.

Dean Nickel

Now these keys are on a different level than the first ones. Much finer work and not a common lock by any stretch. These keys would almost be master project keys and they maybe are. Nice.:8):

colin222

forgottendoll wrote
Hello friends!
I am interested to know more about these French keys if you can help me out. I find them a bit more special than the ones I am used to.
The rudimentary one in the left is 15 cm, the ornate middle one is 12 cm and the one in the right is 10.5 cm.
Any info is appreciated 🙂

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6065[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]6066[/ATTACH]

I can just tell you dear a source from where you can buy the ornate
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Ornate-Old-Vintage-French-Key-/380490911998
And On of my friend which is crazy about collecting keys and i think he have order this one then i will later show you pics……🙂

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