Corbin skeleton keys-different series?

44ZipZip

Hi all, I’m searching for some keys for a friend; he is looking for Corbin Skeleton keys, specifically any in the Q series, which I know are already difficult to find. I came across some that are stamped with BQ and followed by numbers. This is the first time I’ve come across BQ, I was wondering are these there own series or part of the Q series? Sorry, I’m very unfamiliar with any of this. Thank you so much!

Pschiffe

44ZipZip wrote
Hi all, I’m searching for some keys for a friend; he is looking for Corbin Skeleton keys, specifically any in the Q series, which I know are already difficult to find. I came across some that are stamped with BQ and followed by numbers. This is the first time I’ve come across BQ, I was wondering are these there own series or part of the Q series? Sorry, I’m very unfamiliar with any of this. Thank you so much!

See my post of 17-10-16 from the archives:
http://www.antique-locks.com/showthread.php/4627-WANTED-Q-Corbin-Skeleton-Keys

Pete Schifferli

[unknown]

44ZipZip

Pschiffe wrote
See my post of 17-10-16 from the archives:
http://www.antique-locks.com/showthread.php/4627-WANTED-Q-Corbin-Skeleton-Keys

Pete Schifferli

I guess I’m still confused as to what the “B” means stamped on them before the “Q”. The person selling them has no idea either. Bit, maybe?

[unknown]

Pschiffe

44ZipZip wrote
I guess I’m still confused as to what the “B” means stamped on them before the “Q”. The person selling them has no idea either. Bit, maybe?

I’m guessing BQ and Q are probably different series, but; maybe buy a couple and give them a try, perhaps BQ 4 = Q 4? The Q Series is very uncommon, but I have seen them. The P1- P12, R1 - R72, BQ1- BQ250 and BT1 - BT48 are the more common series of P & F Corbin bit keys, all of which were available as pre-cuts back in the day.

Pete Schifferli

[unknown]

David Hovey

IIRC the BQ series locks utilized more levers than the Q series.

I still have quite a few of the Corbin original precut bit keys.

I also have the S series which is not shown.

PC7060

David Hovey wrote
IIRC the BQ series locks utilized more levers than the Q series.

I still have quite a few of the Corbin original precut bit keys.

I also have the S series which is not shown.

DH

David,

Realize I’m posting to an old thread but I saw the Q series key in your pictures. Do you have any Q15 keys? The stamp on my lock is a little off, could also be a Q / 5.

thanks in advance!

[unknown]

PC7060

See attached for stamping on plate of Q15 key type. Became much easier fitting keys to locks once I figure that stamps were numbering lock in the house but type of key for the lock. 😃

Pschiffe

PC7060 wrote
See attached for stamping on plate of Q15 key type. Became much easier fitting keys to locks once I figure that stamps were numbering lock in the house but type of key for the lock. 😃

No disrespect intended, but that part of the lock is properly known as the front.
front n. the portion of a lock which provides the means of mounting the locking device to the edge of the door*

*from LIST Council Professional Locksmith Dictionary

Pete Schifferli

[unknown]

David Hovey

PC7060 wrote
David,

Realize I’m posting to an old thread but I saw the Q series key in your pictures. Do you have any Q15 keys? The stamp on my lock is a little off, could also be a Q / 5.

thanks in advance!

PC

I have Q1 thru Q12 and I don’t know what the code range was. I do know that this seems to be the rarest code series of them all.

[unknown]

PC7060

Pschiffe wrote
No disrespect intended, but that part of the lock is properly known as the front.
front n. the portion of a lock which provides the means of mounting the locking device to the edge of the door*

*from LIST Council Professional Locksmith Dictionary

Pete Schifferli

Thanks for the information, Pete!

[unknown]

PC7060

David Hovey wrote
I have Q1 thru Q12 and I don’t know what the code range was. I do know that this seems to be the rarest code series of them all.

DH

David,

I’m finding that to be true. I’ve poked through several threads and posts including some very helpful ones from Pete but believe the series goes up to 36. I have not found any of the Q series ward/lever cuts diagrams.

I’ve managed to track down keys for the 18 P series Corbin locks in my house but this one Q lock is providing quite the challenge.

Good news is all of the door hardware including locks has been cleaned of 90 years of paint and re-installed on stripped/painted doors. Now that we have doors everywhere again, Mrs. PC is happy and I can take my time finding this last treasure.

Thanks

[unknown]

PC7060

Just missed a batch of 80 Corbin Skeleton keys on eBay; went for $86 plus $8 shipping. The batch was all on a ring but looked like P, R and a couple other type I couldn’t identify. Hopefully it went to one of the reseller and they’ll list any Q series they found.

I placed a bid for at $85 at 4 seconds to go but got outgunned at 2 seconds. Probably best since I dont need 2 extra sets of P series for my house. 😃:

Pschiffe

PC7060 wrote
Just missed a batch of 80 Corbin Skeleton keys on eBay; went for $86 plus $8 shipping. The batch was all on a ring but looked like P, R and a couple other type I couldn’t identify. Hopefully it went to one of the reseller and they’ll list any Q series they found.

I placed a bid for at $85 at 4 seconds to go but got outgunned at 2 seconds. Probably best since I dont need 2 extra sets of P series for my house. 😃:

For future reference, if you are not familiar with it; try to “snipe” bid items with Myibidder.com, has worked well for me in the past, link to Firefox version here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/myibay-auction-bid-sniper-ebay/?src=recommended

Pete Schifferli

[unknown]

PC7060

Great tip, Pete, thanks! I’ll give it a try. 🙁y):

Good timing, I just bought sets of four Corbin locks on eBay for a and it would have been nice to set and forget using the tool.

Got the locks for a good price; included knobs and trim hardware. Plan on using for spare parts but had to laugh when I saw the lock are all Q series.

May be considered blasphemous but I’m considering modify one lock to use a Corbin P 7 key. One of my P7 locks has a broken side plate and if the plates from the spares don’t fit I’ll need to replace the lock with one of these.