Utilitarian Barrel Key Help

Tumi

First, thanks for your time. I’ve been to a couple of antique stores around town and haven’t been able to get any information. I figured I’d take this to the experts.

I live in Atlanta, Ga and found this key in the yard. There’s a lot of History in this city so I’m thinking it’s pretty old.

I think the key is bronze or brass. It has a utilitarian clover-shaped bow. It looks like it was made hastily (there are a lot of file marks around the perimeter of the bow and shaft). The ring hole is not centered. It has 405 stamped on one side of the bow (they didn’t take the time to strike it very well), otherwise there are no markings. It’s almost 3.5 inches.

I’m glad I found it and love having it around. I just wish I could put a story behind it because it looks so interesting. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

History of the area There are a lot of trains and tracks in my neighborhood. There is also an old Civil War fort about a mile away from my house.

Pschiffe

Tumi wrote
First, thanks for your time. I’ve been to a couple of antique stores around town and haven’t been able to get any information. I figured I’d take this to the experts.

I’m no expert, but the fact that it is a bronze barrel key suggests that it might be a “railroad coach key”, see thumbnail from Graham Mfg. Co. ca.1944.

Pete Schifferli

[unknown]

Tumi

Thanks Pete! The one on the right looks similar to the one I posted. Do you know if Graham Mfg. would have stamped their name in the key? It makes sense with all of the old train tracks around this area. I’ll try to investigate more in this vein. Thanks again for your help.

Pschiffe

Tumi wrote
Thanks Pete! The one on the right looks similar to the one I posted. Do you know if Graham Mfg. would have stamped their name in the key? It makes sense with all of the old train tracks around this area. I’ll try to investigate more in this vein. Thanks again for your help.

It appears that unlike their cylinder key blanks, which were embossed with The Graham Mfg. Co. Derby, Conn USA; their bit and flat keys had no markings. Note that Graham was once one of the largest manufacturers of aftermarket key blanks in the country who went out of business in the 1950s. They would not have produced the railroad coach lock and the original key might have had the name of the actual maker, yours is likely a duplicate.

Pete Schifferli

[unknown]