Hello from new member, Edmonton, Alberta.

macinda

Hello, I have just started collecting old keys this is the most informative site that i have found. I bought some old (nineteenth-twentieth century) keys online and really don’t know anything about keys or locksmithing at all, so I would appreciate any advice the members of this forum could give me regarding any books or other websites where I can find information about collecting, identification and conservation of keys. Some of the keys I bought are covered with loose powdery rust, how much cleaning (if any) should I do? I have so many questions and this is probably not the right place to ask, so again hello I’m glad to be here.

Dean Nickel

Welcome aboard!

You came to the right place. There are a few key collectors and a whole lot of us that can tell you about any key with markings. It might not be much but we can tell you something. There is a key section. Please post pictures of anything you have questions about.

As for cleaning. That is a topic that comes down to two things. Are you going to sell it or keep it? If yes on selling then leave it alone and let the next person do as they like. If no I am going to keep it then you do as you like. Myself I like to do a full restore, IE remove all paint, rust, and anything that needs to go. This would be in order to put on a new finish even if it is a clear coat like on cast iron lock. But to some this removes value to some collectors. I never intend to sell… so it doesn’t matter. I like the lock and they cleanup very well.

Gerry

hello welcome,

i am a key-collector from germany

if you have some questions about eurpean keys, please let me know

cleaning or not cleaning is a difficult question (halflock said it)

myself i just use a brush to clean the worst rust, but i keep the patina,
no retauration

macinda

Thank you for the welcome Halflock and Gerry.

Adrian Weber

I do it just the way you do it Gerry!

Good to see that I am not alone here 😉