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Thread: Any Ideas!!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    London, England
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    Default Any Ideas!!

    I recently found this key in Kent, whilst metal detecting.. and was wondering if anyone knew of the significance of the key having an hinge type barrel end, I've attached a picture
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails old key.jpg  

  2. #2
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    Country: Australia

    Default

    Its for a ' Solomon Henry ' patent lock, patented in 1799 but made over a long period.

    The example you have is fairly typical.

    I may have some more info - I'll have a look.

  3. #3
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    Sep 2006
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    Default Amazing

    Thanks for the speedy reply, was this a door lock or padlock key..?

  4. #4
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    Country: Australia

    Default

    Door lock, rim night latch function.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    Blenheim, New Zealand
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    Country: New Zealand

    Default

    Hi there - I have not been able to find much info on the internet for this type of key - most of the stuff I've found has been in books. However - a quick look at:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    should sort out the basics for you. They do come up for sale on Ebay every few months. FYI single keys have gone for prices between 12-20 GB pounds over the last couple of years. Hope this helps - cheers Sparky

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Toronto
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    Country: Canada

    Default

    Hi Jim :

    It is an antique US Patented key with a drop hinge
    so when the key travels down the keyhole the beard
    drops and activates the bolt.

    Brian ............................
    ******************

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Edinburgh
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    Country: UK

    Default Solomon Henry latch key

    Quote Originally Posted by oldlock View Post
    Its for a ' Solomon Henry ' patent lock, patented in 1799 but made over a long period.

    The example you have is fairly typical. .
    Sad to say, keys are much more common than latches. Complete latches surviving in working order are quite uncommon now. There are normally 2 wards, but the number of differs is small. I have seen 2 different sizes of key, so that is another variation.

    This was a key-operated development of the medieval 'hatchet latch' (from its shape), also known as a long latch.

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