Old Fashioned Key With Letter G on Top
Antique Skeleton Key Identification Guide
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Kate Miller-Wilson
An avid antiques collector herself, Kate has written most antiques for many years. She has also managed an online antiques community.
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Antique Collector
Acquire how to unlock the mysteries of onetime-fashioned keys, chosen skeleton keys. Antique skeleton key identification is a fleck of an fine art, since many keys were unmarked. There are clues, withal, if you know where to look. This identification guide can help.
Do Y'all Have a Skeleton Central?
Technically, a skeleton key is a key that features a unique shape at the cease to unlock a warded lock, or a lock that has some specific obstructions inside information technology that must be pushed out of the mode with the key. Notwithstanding, people regularly utilise the term "skeleton key" to refer to three different types of keys:
- Skeleton key - Featuring a solid shaft, these keys take a pre-cutting bit pattern and may fit many different locks. Because of its solid shaft, a skeleton cardinal weighs much more than its hollow counterparts.
- Bit key - Cutting from a key blank, these keys have a standard shape simply a unique scrap pattern to fit a specific lock.
- Barrel central - Shaped similar skeleton key, these are lighter considering they have a hollow shaft or barrel that allows them to slide over a post or pin in the lock. These keys are lighter in weight because they contain less metal.
- Interchangeable key - An Interchangeable key, or master key, frequently had changable bits you lot could arrange to fit diverse locks. They are uncommon.
- Sewing motorcar keys - Y'all'll often encounter sewing automobile keys sold equally skeleton keys. These pocket-sized keys have a barrel and no bit. They were used with treadle sewing machines.
Important Factors in Antique Skeleton Key Identification
If you have an quondam key, there are several things to consider as you effort to larn a fleck more nigh it. Await for the following features.
Skeleton Fundamental Size
Skeleton keys come in all dissimilar sizes - from less than an inch to over five inches long. The size of your key may offer clues nearly its purpose:
- Tiny keys - Very picayune keys often open jewelry boxes and other small locks.
- Modest keys - Small skeleton keys, nether two and a one-half or iii inches in length, sometimes open cabinets and furniture.
- Medium-sized keys - Keys ranging from two and a half to four inches long were probable made to open doors. You may detect them sold with antique doorknobs.
- Very big keys - The biggest keys opened gates, large locks, and other substantial pieces.
Age of the Key
Information technology tin can be very difficult to decide the age of an onetime key, but there are a few clues that can help. A few keys are stamped with a appointment, but this is uncommon. Virtually skeleton keys you lot encounter are from 1940 and before, but some keys are very sometime. Examine the key to determine whether it appears handmade. If information technology is not compatible or appears to exist hand-worked, it could exist an older example.
Skeleton Fundamental Material
Many skeleton keys are fabricated of brass, but some tin also be made of atomic number 26. You tin can tell whether your central is brass or atomic number 26 by learning to identify brass. Ane of the best ways to exercise this is to use a magnet. If the key sticks to the magnet, it is probably iron. If it does non, it is probably contumely.
Engravings on Skeleton Keys
Some keys feature engravings that can aid you constitute a provenance or story for the cardinal. Yous may detect tags with hotel names on them or specific room numbers. There are keys that include the lock manufacturer's name stamped on them, such every bit Corbin keys. If your key has an engraving of any kind, yous may exist able to research it to larn more.
Skeleton Cardinal Bow Shape
The bow of the key is the wider role you concur in your hand, and antiquarian skeleton keys can feature very interesting and unique bow designs. Some characteristic recognizable motifs, such as a panthera leo. Others are shaped similar a center or some other fancy shape. Keys with interesting bows can be among the most valuable to collectors.
Are Quondam Skeleton Keys Worth Annihilation?
Most individual skeleton keys sell for $10 or less, just sure styles can exist worth much more. Keys with fancy bows, interesting engravings, a fascinating history, or other special features can be worth hundreds of dollars. Onetime fundamental identification is also about assigning value, so you should look at like keys that accept sold recently and compare yours. Here are some recently sold examples:
- A contumely skeleton key with a bow in the shape of a lion recently sold for virtually $75.
- An interchangeable brass key from 1861 sold for over $280. Information technology was over 5 inches long.
- A lot of half-dozen old skeleton keys sold for half dozen dollars.
Antique Skeleton Keys Are Fun to Collect
Although they can be difficult to identify, erstwhile skeleton keys are fun to collect. Considering they come in then many shapes and sizes, in that location is nearly space diverseness in the options. They are also an affordable item to collect if yous are starting a new hobby. They look great displayed in your home as well.
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