Here is a key I purchased at the Lancaster show last year, 2011. It is the oldest key in my collection, from the 1500's. I got it from someone who bought it in Parma, Italy. A real gem.
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Here is a key I purchased at the Lancaster show last year, 2011. It is the oldest key in my collection, from the 1500's. I got it from someone who bought it in Parma, Italy. A real gem.
Hi.
Calling all key experts! Please help me to identify and date this old key.
Thanks in advance.
Patent.
This is a beautiful key and made by a skilled Locksmith.
The keyway is a Trefoil type of design.
Warding is based on the Bridge Ward principle. Which means
the warding plate has the wards on both sides of the bridge.
Dating is some what problematic. The style and skill indicate
manufacture from about 14th century to the 16th century.
Not sure if it was a lost wax casting or else a brazed assembly?
I have seen both types of manufacture pre-dating your key
and also post-dating it.
The warding also has comb wards for added security.
Nice hand made keyhead design.
Overall this is a custom designed key for a very important use.
Back then a key was additionaly displayed as a sign of nobility
a social rank. Keys were worn externaly as a badge of Office
or Royal patronage. These are the possiblities but the exact
history is a matter of speculation.
Brian ................................................
Thanks,Brian for your comprehensive reply.
I would never have thought that the key could be at least 400 years old.
It has stood the test of time, has a wonderful patina,and is in remarkably good condition.
I think that the Brazing technique has been employed in its construction,the key is 4 1/2 inches in length.
The Trefoil stem still retains its form, the bit is also in good shape,possibly suggesting that it has had minimal usage.
Any idea of it's origin?
Thanks.
Patent.
You are welcome Patent.
Your fantastic key is a prize.
It contains elements of French, German
and British design. Perhaps a well connected
Master Locksmith made this from his favorite
parts of others designs?
Back before the internet..yes many younger people
have no idea of what hard book learning and be able
to converse in person with a Master was like LOL
Locksmiths had to learn from all possible sources.
I have included some jpegs of a German key for the ribbon
keyhead; a pre-revolution French Lost Wax key for the
shaft, Trefoil keyway and Comb Wards;
and a Tubular handcuff key for the keyhead, which was brazed.
Brian................................
Brian, you forgot Venetian. And zooming in on the bows of both keys, you can see they were brazed. Both are wonderful treasures. Thanks for posting them. Doug
Doug...I stand corrected.
I didn't hink about that possibility.
Venetian is an area I will have to study
to fill in some missing knowledge ;o)
You are welcome.
I use some of the antique keys as a basis for making
drawings for silkscreen prints.
So many graphic designers fail to use or realize that
real antique keys have to be used for authenticy.
Brian.....................
I can help you identifying your key. And I have research to back it up. Your key is Venitian from the late 1500's to early 1600's. Pictures of keys almost identical to yours appear in the French book of keys, "Des Clefs et des Hommes'. On page 82 there are three keys that I speak of. I have some wonderful books that are an outstanding source of reference material that I have aquired at lock shows. Let me know if you are interested and I'll put you in contact with the man I bought my books from.
hello together,
i read your posts about the keys and there is something wrong.
brass for brazing is genereally used at first in 17th century.
the first key (europelocks) is clearly younger, never 16th century.
on the market there are a lot of keys like this, maybe 19th century
or later, please see picture 11 and 22.
original keys from this period looks different in handle and bit
coming at first from italy, 33, 44
patent: your key looks great - if it is brazed with copper. but there
are no sign of a german key, bit and handle is italian, shank
is also known in france. 66
brian: first picture is asian/russian padlock key
second picture french 18th 19th century
third picture is not to identify, if orginal than french, if cast than fake
sorry, i forgot the pictures