Thread: large fancy brass key info please

It took about 15 seconds to crop and resize that image to enable uploading. Very, very few people are going to download a zip file to view an image ............

Anyway. From what I can see in the pictures I would be fairly sure that the key is a fantasy / fake. Not a real working key at all. I'll give a few reasons here.

1 - Very few keys are made from solid brass as they tend to wear badly, if this were a real key I would expect it to show signs of use and wear. There are none. Brass is however perfectly suited for making fantasy items etc as it's easy to work with & cast.

2 - The type of the key, ie single sided pipe is normally used on chests and box locks, not doors or gates etc.

3 - The shape and design of the bit is entirely wrong for what it is trying to look like, if anyone is interested I will post some further information on real european vintage keys.

Hope you did'nt pay a lot for it, if the seller was passing it as real I'd seek a refund.

I agree with old lock. Point no 2 is valid unless it was a very unique lock this key would not operate from both sides of the gate.

Given the size could it be a commemorative key?

Plus another point that it is a art key and not a real key. The artwork on the stem is nice. You wouldn't see that if it was a real key and in use as that would go away first.

I have come across some ceremonial keys like this.
Lack of wear due to infrequent use may explain the absence of acquired wear patterns?
It has very good detailbut the keyhead may have put onafter the castinf was done.
The keys I have cast in bronze sometimes have uneven transfer of intricate designs.
Then again I have only done a few large lost wax castings.
When the casting came out of the sand box i immediatly placed it ina cold tub of water
and it was tempered. The result is a very hard wearing piece of Bronze.
If the lock is well oiled and mailtained the key will have less wear and tear.
Quite a few of the larger Brass and Bronze keys were used for Marine use.
One I have is from a US Battleship and is a Zinc coated brass key.

Brian .........................................
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There is no way this is a real key. It's certainly nothing like a marine key either. I'm quite sure about that.

OK, but it still is a good job of casting and workship.

Brian ..............................
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Hello! I am new here and excited to find such a pleasant and knowledgeable bunch!

Oldlock, would you mind posting the info you suggested on vintage European keys?

I just decided to start collecting keys this past week and have almost no clue what to look for beyond just the aesthetic qualities that appeal to me. It took me 2 days of web surfing just to find some book titles--many of which are out of print--and this terrific forum.

Thanks in advance if you have time to post!

I could not to better for pictures of superb keys than suggest this website :

KeysOfHistory.com - A collection of distinction.