Info on Huge Cast Metal Key Please

Keylover

I just purchased a collection of keys and there were three huge metal keys. This one, see photo attached, measures just under 6 inches and weighs 6 ounces. I’d love some information on it.

How old is it?
What was it’s original purpose? A gate key or perhaps just decorative?
What is it made of? Looks like cast steel, but I’m not sure.

Thanks so much.

Tom Gordon

It is merely decorative - I dont think that it will take bottle caps off will it?

Keylover

It’s hand filed, etc. And no, it won’t take off bottle caps!! 😉

Tom Gordon

What makes you think that it definitely isnt modern?
The filing which you talk about is not visible on the picture but would be where the flashing is ground off the rough casting.
Sorry, but the reality is that it is not a real key.

Dean Nickel

I agree with Tom. There is no sign of true wear anywhere that I can see on the stem. There should be a little bit even on a key that wasn’t used much.

Brian Denyer

This is a sandcasting and the approximate age is anyones guess.

Brian ………………………..

Tom Gordon

It clearly is not a key that ever worked a lock, nor was designed to work a lock.

Doug MacQueen

Regardless of its bottle opening characteristics, its the shaft design that would indicate it was only decorative. Instead of a smooth shaft ending a shoulder stop it has three bumps along it. Grind tests could be done to determine cast iron or cast steel, if in fact it is even ferrous metal. It does look like it tho. Kind of an overly fancy bow for what is otherwise a fairly crude key with a simple blade and no signs of serious cleanup or polishing of the shaft at the very least. My guess anywhere from the 1800’s on up to last week.

Paul Prescott

1970’s kitsch decorative. No doubt about it.