Can anyone identify this type of key..?
Hi..I'm new member konasky. I'm hoping you gentlemen can help me identify this key (See attached photo..) I bought it several years ago from a lady online. When I asked if she knew anything about the key's history, she told me she had recently moved into a largeish house, which apparently had previously been a home for retired vicars... and had found the key in a leaky, dilapidated old shed in the garden there. ( So it's possibly a type of church door key..?) It was very heavily encrusted with rust amongst other things..and took quite a while to carefully clean up enough to display in my collection...although you can see how heavily pitted it had become. I have been collecting old keys for some years now..but have yet to come across another key that looks remotely like it..so any information/suggestions at all from anyone as to it's age/type/origins etc..would be most welcome indeed ...cheers and good huntinghttps://www.antique-locks.com/image/...WVaSUbXRbP/9k=. k.
Re: Can anyone identify this key..?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
chubbbramah
This pointed key is reminiscent of Norman door keys, say circa 12C or 13C.
However, it looks more like a modern ?19C copy. During the 19C many old country churches were in a parlous state of disrepair, and there was a vigorous movement to renovate churches, because there were then many parsons with private means. Many churches had 'church door stock locks' newly fitted, and some still had original locks. As the original keys were often of brass or bronze, making a new replica key in iron would have been a sympathetic renovation.
This having been found in a home for retired clergy would fit.
Many thanks Chubbbramah, for your knowledgable reply to my query about this unusual key. Despite other comments elsewhere to the contrary..the condition in which I received it, plus my collector's instinct has always led me to believe that it was definitely a true working key and indeed, one with some history...which you have certainly explained to my satisfaction.With the greatest appreciation, konasky.