Old Holloway Prison key

DJStambo

Hi everyone,

Purchased this key off a popular selling site and have a couple of questions regarding it.

I believe the key would have been made by Gibbons, if so why does it not have the makers name on the bow?

Why would the key be given to ‘Dorothy’? This question seems a bit silly but after doing research online I’ve not come up with any answer. At a guess I’d say it was given to her on retirement but I also found out the original front gates were demolished the same year this key was given away. Any relevance?

Any help would be much appreciated

DJS

Paul Prescott

I would say it’s a period duplicate or copy, hence not being made by Gibbons it’s unmarked. It’s not the quality of Gibbons either.

DJStambo

Thank you for the response oldlock. I’m not sure the photos do it justice, when you have it in your hand it feels and looks of a high quality.

I did come across a guy who was given a couple of keys by an ex nurse who worked at Holloway and one of the keys was very similar. Same shaped bit, bow, length and even weight.

Your right, probably a reproduction. Thank you for your opinion.

DJS

Paul Prescott

Not a reproduction as in a fake, a copy as you would go out and get a copy cut of your Yale key today. The blank used would be generally of lesser quality and cost than a key made at the Yale factory.

I had a genuine original Gibbons key - the turning was crisp and the detail was well defined.

DJStambo

OK, yeah I see what your saying now. I misinterpreted what you wrote so my apologies. After looking at a few prison Gibbons keys I see that this is slightly different.

Makes me wonder whether they just produced these keys to give to people on special occasions such as retirement or they actually were in use at some stage.

Thanks

DJS

Paul Prescott

I would say in use.

Not a great picture but here’s the key I used to own.

DJStambo

Can certainly see the quality difference oldlock. So did Gibbons make keys and locks for a lot of prisons do you know?

Thanks

DJS