Hobbs and co key and a couple of Chubbs

[Warren63]

Hi all, found this Hobbs key with an interesting looking bit, could anyone tell me anything about it such as could it be from a safe. The two chubbs I've had for a few years and I've just cleaned and polished on the buffer. I didn't actually realise they were the same design until I removed the rust from the small one. Any comments are greatly appreciated.

[oldlock]

I'd lay long odds that the key stamped Hobbs is actually for a early Chubb new patent (with wards) detector lock and was simply cut by a Hobbs engineer at some point in time.

[Warren63]

I was wondering whether it was possibly a mismatch as I have quite a few Hobbs safe keys and have never came across even a picture of this style/type of bit on a Hobbs. So am I correct in understanding what your saying is it was for a chubb lock and its been cut on a hobbs blank. ? By the way I took your advice Oldlock and polished up the large chubb key which I posted pics of last week and it's lookng much better. I thought the pitting might have spoiled it but it actually adds 'something' so thanks yet again.

[BBE]

Hi all, found this Hobbs key with an interesting looking bit, could anyone tell me anything about it such as could it be from a safe. The two chubbs I've had for a few years and I've just cleaned and polished on the buffer. I didn't actually realise they were the same design until I removed the rust from the small one. Any comments are greatly appreciated.

The symmetrical design on the bit usually indicates a door lock that allows the key to be used from either side of a door. Of course the small key would be for a very small door if that is what it is.
BBE.

[oldlock]

Search the site for : Chubb bridge

and you will find pictures of an original chubb key.

[Chubby]

The bigger ones remind me of the keys for the day gate of a strongroom.

[safeman]

For some mysterious reason I am unable to enlarge the thumbnails and am therefore unable to clearly
examine the image of the Hobbs key referred to.

However, I shall attach an illustration showing a small section of key styles and the one highlighted
would have been suitable for the Hobbs & Co.s "General" mortice lock which was available in from 3 to 6 levers.

[Huw Eastwood]

Some more nice keys there warren you don't see many of those. As already mentioned the symmetrical bit is one clue and the fact they have collars on the pin to act as a stop against the lock cover or case is another indicating 2 sided operation.