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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    11
    Country: Canada

    Default 14th century medieval key

    i guess i kinda know what this is, but if anyone can add anything please do. also i just had to show it. it's 3 1/4" (unfortunately the tip broke)
    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    142
    Country: Germany

    Default

    hello icemandan,

    it is a key from the 14th to 16th century,
    used for padlocks or chest-locks.
    in germany it is a very common key from this time.

    from where do get your keys?

    gerry

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    11
    Country: Canada

    Default

    hello gerry, and thank you. actually my wife got these from her late great uncles estate. these are less then 10% of the total collection from what i heard as all the keys were divided up and given to family members. the funny thing is i started collecting skeleton keys when i was a kid, then i got interested in girls and have no idea what happend to them. i collect japanese tin toys, crank phonographs and records. so i'm not sure if i will getting back into key collecting. although i have been thinking about parting with my phonos and records as they take up alot of room. (that would make the wife happy) anyway thanks again.

    regards dan

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    142
    Country: Germany

    Default

    hello dan,

    i am collecting keys since a long time,
    now i got more than 900, but it is
    very easy to display it on a wall.
    i have pinned them all on 200cm to 250cm.

    i am collecting mostly german and european
    keys, all older than 200 years and handmade.

    if you want to have a look, please give me an
    emailadress.

    i have never heard about japanese tin toys, i just
    know the german ones, coming from nuremberg,
    and in a little town close by they have some crank
    phonographs in a museum.

    regards

    gerry

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio USA
    Posts
    1,433
    Country: United States

    Default

    Gerry, could I convince you to post pictures of a some your nicer kays? I have only recently become interested in pre- 1800 locks and am finding some to be truly works of art in metal. Doug

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    142
    Country: Germany

    Default

    hi doug,

    which century you want to see, especially?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 1k.jpg  

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio USA
    Posts
    1,433
    Country: United States

    Default

    Any century really but ones that show the greatest skill in making. Thanks Doug

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    188
    Country: Canada

    Default

    Here are some examples of similar types of hand made keys. They are hammered and then brazed with brass/copper mix. Quality ranges form almost crude to very sophisticated. Your keys look as if they were left in the locks and rusted? Also some of these keys come in larger sizes and were used for front door locks. I know because I have the key and lock from some European doors which they were taken off from.

    Brain ..................................
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Key medievil ss 1.jpg   Key medievil 5.jpg  

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    30
    Country: United States

    Default 14th century key

    I really don't think this key is that old. From the bow it looks German but more like 1600's and maybe eary 1700's. The rolled shank seems to place it in that time period. Just a thought.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    142
    Country: Germany

    Default

    the short keys are older than the longer ones
    because the early locks were mounted outside
    the chests
    (from roman to ca.1500) please see the picture

    later they mount it inside that needs longer keys
    (ca.1500-1800)
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 55.jpg  

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