Nice bow an stem - does anyone recognize this key

timof5stars

So I’m sorting through a pile of mostly unremarkable skeleton keys when I ran across this little gem…

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Does anyone recognize what this skeleton key may have originally been used for. Does this type of design have a name? I though it was rather jewel/gem like in appearance.

Dean Nickel

You would have to give us a size of the key and a picture of the other end and maybe the whole key to answer your questions.

timof5stars

Yes, sorry. My elevator was not going to the top floor. Key length 2.50 inches Bow is 1 inch wide by 0.5 inches high. Here are pics:

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I hope this is better!

Doug MacQueen

I have no clue what it was for, maybe furniture, but the flats are usually called facets and I don’t think I have seen one like it. In the trade the key would be called a warded key as there are no lever cuts, just the one warding side cut. The common U.S. skeleton keys bought at locksmith shops are primarily for very simple single lever warded house locks, typically seen on side or back doors, back in the day. Those keys had more material cut away on the sides to fit the various side cuts commonly used. I will never understand why you would see a nice pin tumbler mortise lock on the front door and the back door lock was often no different than a pre- Barron (late 1700’s) single lever single acting mortise latch and deadbolt. Doug

Dean Nickel

I am going to guess there is a hole in the end of the key. If this is true then I would say it was for a desk/furniture lock possibly, mostly because of the size and the key wasn’t designed to work a lock from two sides of the door.. But Doug is correct that we will not be able to tell you the exact lock it worked in.

I am with you Doug, I don’t understand having better locks on the front and the back can be opened with wire.

timof5stars

I am being totally dense here. Yes, it is a barrel key. I took several photos of the end showing the hole and then didn’t bother to upload a single one. Here is close up:[INDENT]

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The shaft/stem is 0.215 inches in diameter and the ID of the hole is 0.165 inches. The bit extends out away from the shaft (i.e. the bit’s height) by 0.270 inches. It is 0.325 inches wide and is 0.160 inches thick. The slit in the bit (which I’m assuming allows the key to pass over a ward) is 0.047 inches wide and is approx. 0.190 inches in depth.

I apologize for making everyone beat this information out of me with a stick. It could have all been just as easily included in my initial post. It’s not like I was never taught to use basic measuring devices (ruler/vernier caliper/micrometer) and a camera. Thanks for your patience.

timof5stars

I assume this key would have been at least somewhat more labor-intensive to produce than your standard “just the basics”, functional-only type key. Because it appears this key was meant to be looked at in addition to performing its function in whatever piece of furniture/chest/desk, is it likely it was also a higher-end desk, chest, cabinet, whatever. (i.e. something likely owned by a wealthier individual).

Is it possible this key is simply someone’s imaginative reproduction? I believe the key shows some limited signs of use/wear - its appearance is not shiny and unused like many of the cheaper reproductions I’ve seen. But I’m clearly no expert here. Are there any obvious signs of it being a reproduction?

If we think it is “real” (not a reproduction) then does its “multi-faceted” design suggest either a country/region of origin or a period of production (e.g. early 1900s)?

I’ve examined this key closely under a magnifier and found no other obvious text or any other markings. I wish more people signed their name to their work 🙂