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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2019
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    5
    Country: United States

    Default Is this a locksmith's tool? plus odd key

    Hello,
    I bought a collection of old keys and this gadget was included. I have no idea of its purpose or if it is complete. My best guess is some sort of locksmith tool or a part to something. The only mark is "PAT APPL FOR". It measures approx. 1 3/4" long. The little tab will move up and down and located in the end is what looks like a key hole. I am also including photos of another key in the collection that states it was made by Yale for Max Frankel, Syracuse NY. I've not seen a key personalized like this before. Any info about these two items will be greatly appreciated!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails keything1.jpg   keything2.jpg   keything3.jpg   keything6.jpg   keything4.jpg  

    keything5.jpg   keything7.jpg   yalekey1.jpg   yalekey2.jpg   yalekey3.jpg  


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    714
    Country: United States

    Default Is this a locksmith's tool? plus odd key Your Message

    It is not a Locksmith tool. My guess it look like it for a file cabinet drawer. This is first i have seen it. Just maybe someone will come up with answer for it...Timothy....

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    1,755
    Country: Wales

    Default

    It's a small 4-pin 'key case' or 'keyhole' blocker lock. Most companies made both types for blocking key cases/cabinets with sliding glass doors and similar for blocking mortise/rim lock keyholes to prevent entry of keys.
    Popular in continental europe, here's a Burg Wächter example for blocking keyholes, years ago we also had an American key case version by Guard.
    Yours does look older, someone might have a catalog to ID it.
    Click image for larger version. 

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  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Posts
    5
    Country: United States

    Default

    Thank you! I would have never figured that out. I will look thru the collection of keys to see if I have the key for it. Thanks again!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Tonawanda, NY, USA
    Posts
    900
    Country: United States

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Timothy View Post
    It is not a Locksmith tool. My guess it look like it for a file cabinet drawer. This is first i have seen it. Just maybe someone will come up with answer for it...Timothy....
    Looks similar to a Burg-Wachter sliding door showcase lock. See thumbnail attached from a defunct distributor catalog showing the lock plug together with both wood and glass door mounts.

    Pete Schifferli
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails BurgWachterShowcaseLock2.jpg  

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    1,755
    Country: Wales

    Default Burg Wächter Cylinder Lockblocking Keys

    Zylinder-Schlüssellochsperrers! here's another two of the Burg Wächters, same type i posted earlier but still sealed on their respective UK and German home market cards.
    Click image for larger version. 

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  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Posts
    5
    Country: United States

    Default

    Sadly I do not have the key for it. Any opinions on the personalized Yale key with the name on it? Is it common?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    714
    Country: United States

    Default Is this a locksmith's tool? plus odd key

    No you not going to find the key blank like the one you post the first time. They no longer made those kind of blank. To me it look like Y-1 999-5 pin 999B-4 or 5-pin. As least you have a good old lock from Yale....Timothy....

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    california
    Posts
    339
    Country: United States

    Default

    the paracentric key at the time was made for a specific company or store if 5 pin was a #8 and if 6 pin a #11
    the blanks for the key block are around,but then you have to find a locksmith to cut it
    Timothy is correct it would be a 999--y1 or 999A--y2 depending on who made the blanks
    Click image for larger version. 

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  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Posts
    5
    Country: United States

    Default

    Thanks for the info. The key does not go to the lock. It was in the collection and I am just curious as to why it has a name on it. I assume maybe it is the name of the lock shop or locksmith. I couldn't find another example of this so thought it might be unusual. I'm more into locks than keys so pardon my ignorance! Thanks for everyone's help!

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