Key identification - stiletto key?

simoncpage

I have only ever seen a couple of the the attached I almost bought but I don’t really know what the function of it was? I assume it wasn’t a weapon? Does any one have any knowledge of them or other pictures? Thanks

simoncpage

FYI a sewing stiletto is used for managing and counting fabrics which is initial what I thought it might be? So the key would be to a fabric chest maybe and the key dual purposes for counting? Not sure?

Vladimir

simoncpage wrote
I have only ever seen a couple of the the attached I almost bought but I don’t really know what the function of it was? I assume it wasn’t a weapon? Does any one have any knowledge of them or other pictures? Thanks

Can be a key for trick lock. Pointed part can be for move something through a little hole in lock to let lock be open with key after that.

[unknown]

Richard Phillips

I’ve not seen one like this, but a similar decorative idea with a corkscrew is common. A few other objects have been made up to resemble a key, such as a thermometer.

Vladimir

chubbbramah wrote
I’ve not seen one like this, but a similar decorative idea with a corkscrew is common. A few other objects have been made up to resemble a key, such as a thermometer.

It is a very elaborate key. A lot of work.
Soldering, thread work, drilling. A lot of file work.
Nobody will put corkscrew in it.
it’s like using microscope for hammering nails.

And nobody will make such amount of work to put this pointy thing inside without good reason.
And it is obvious - it pointy thing not a weapon.
In time when this key was made - corkscrew was corkscrew and thermometer most possibly wasn’t invented yet.

Most possibly this key was made in XVI-XVII sentury.
Corkscrew in key is a nowaday thing.

Jast my opinion. Maybe I am wrong.
Respectfully.

P.S. If you will post picture with higher resolution I will be very grateful.
I am collecting pictures of keys like this one.

[unknown]

Doug MacQueen

Welcome Vladimir, goods thoughts on that key. I cannot add much other than the style is known as a Venetian key, and apparently they became popular with tourists at the time. There are a few still being made today.

Doug MacQueen

Vladimir, here are a few pictures of a Venetian key being made by Italian master blacksmith Valentino Mazzoni. As you can see his work is comparable to those made several hundred years ago. A true master at his craft.

Richard Phillips

Thank you Doug.
Before i had one in my hand, I assumed they were lost-wax castings.
Do you have any pictures/vid of the the pieces of the bow being assembled and brazed/silver soldered?

Doug MacQueen

Here is Valentino’s and then my work in progress. I found the easiest way to make the insert pieces is to make tubing and cut sections. If you look closely at mine there is one piece which was cut too large. It will get replaced with a better one before soldering.

Huw Eastwood

Both are stunning, is this your second version Doug ? I recall you saying you might be selling your original one at a convention you were attending a few years back.

I’ve made a few ornate(ish) keys (in the past),but have to admit i turned the outer and inner rings of the bow in the lathe and then filed them to add the inner parts. I also cheated/turned the shafts and flutings in the lathe and then brazed the assemblies together.
I cannot even begin to imagine having the old school blacksmiths skills to forge the individual parts from billet , Let alone making the bow from a single piece forged into a loop !!! That’s almost insane, incredible, Beautiful work.

Doug MacQueen

Wow what a memory. Yes this is my second and I did sell the first one. The bows on mine are lathe cut as well. I have on and off, been studying the art of blacksmithing, especially as it relates to lock and key making. Some things are surprisingly easier to do with a hammer on red hot steel than with machine tools on cold steel.

Vladimir

Doug MacQueen wrote
Here is Valentino’s and then my work in progress. I found the easiest way to make the insert pieces is to make tubing and cut sections. If you look closely at mine there is one piece which was cut too large. It will get replaced with a better one before soldering.

Hello.
Nice, precise work. A lot of elbow grease.
Thank you for photographs.
It will be interesting to see ended key.

[unknown]