Large Complex Brass & Steel Changable Key

This was a key for a lock that could be re-keyed by changing the order of the parts inside the lock. I didn't think the key was that rare, but given the final price I guess I was wrong.

 

Curious old brass and steel key that can be reconfigured. The end unscrews and the fins can be interchanged. It measures 6 1/8 inches long. There is light wear and some tarnish. - eBay (15 Sept 2013)

This key had a high bid of $1,359.99 (Plus $3.62 Shipping).
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Iron lantern bow Italian key

Here is something you don't see every day. A key that solde for close to $2,500!

Fine quality steel key with a highly decorative pierced and cut lantern bow and flared bit with many teeth. The key is Italian and is fairly typical in form of a style that was first made in the Renaissance. The photos show the complexity of the key including the nicely cut four-pillared cupola on top of the key and the decoration covering much of the surface of the iron. There is one small braised repair to one of the spokes in one of the circular “windows” on the side of the key – this is just about visible on the photos but the repair has been done so precisely as to be nearly invisible. The key is about 6.5 inches (16cm) long. - eBay (27 Nov 2011)

This key had a high bid of 1,550 British Pounds/$2,430 (Plus 20 Pounds Shipping).

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Antique French secret padlock 18-19th Century

The cool part of this lock is the key and keyway. Definately cool, but cool comes with an expensive price.

antique French secret padlock made about 1800's- wrought iron

with clover key 2.1/4" inches(5.7cm)

size of padlock: 1.1/2."inches(4cm) by :2.3/4" (7cm)

to open padlock:

1 - Pull the back plate of the lock to release the aperture plate (cache-entry of padlock) : picture 3

2 - Position the plate to left -on the symbol (If the position is not correct, the key turns but does not actuate the mechanism): picture 4

3 - adjust the clover with the key, insert the key and turn -the lock is open, to close you need to keep the position (2)

IN VERY GOOD CONDITION - eBay

This padlock had a buy-it-now price of $1,700 (Plus free Shipping). It was currently available at the time of writing.

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Antique French huge wrought iron key 10" - Castle

Now this is a key!

Antique French huge wrought iron key of castle
length:10.1/4"inches!! (26cm)

are these keys genuine antiques of French origin
-- NOT REPRODUCTION - eBay

This key has a 'Buy-it-Now' price of $700 (Plus $14 Shipping).
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Antique Relic Spanish Colonial Convent Door

Here is a nice-looking antique key.

We have just received another 7 very large Spanish Colonial Keys from one of the convents we work with in South America.

When a nun tells you that each one of these keys is at least 300 years old, because the original convent doors they came from were built at the same time the convent was, (300 years ago), you know they are special! Please see a picture below of one of the actual doors.

We cleaned only one, so you will see how they looked 300 years ago, but we have left the other 6 with their original patina. Each will be auctioned separately, and each will be described in the pictures above; taken next to a ruler.

They each weigh between 1/3 to ½ pound, and they would look great as a paper weight on a desk, or in a library.

Good luck bidding! - eBay (20 Oct 2009)

This key had a high bid of $798 (Plus $2.41 Shipping).
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My Lock Collection

Here are some photos of my current lock collection.

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Miniature Locks

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Mail Locks - No key for the mail pouch or left side bottom lock. All the other locks work fine.

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Combination Locks

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This is almost everything, but not all. I have a display frame with some of the finer examples in another room.

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ANTIQUE POCKET DOOR KEY SIGNED "YALE" VICTORIAN AGE

This auction has a good explanation for the purpose of these type folding keys.

This auction is for an antique steel and brass pocket door key that is signed "YALE". I have never had a signed pocket door key. It measures about 1&5/8 folded and 2&1/8 open inches long. The old Victorian houses had sliding doors which slid back into the walls and these keys were designed for these doors. The key would either slide into itself or fold over so that the key could be left in the lock when the door was opened . The key plate was made with a recessed area around the keyhole to accommodate the bow. - eBay (22 Jan 09)

This key sold for $23.50 (Plus $2.75 Shipping).
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OLD FDNY Alarm FIRE BOX KEY Gamewell BRASS Firefighter

Interesting key.

This is a wonderful old New York City Fire Department alarm box key! It is a solid barrel type, made of solid brass and it measures 2 3/4" long. I think that it is the kind that the firefighters would use to reset the alarm after it was pulled. It is marked "F.D.N.Y" on one side and it is engraved "B-53" on the other side. This key has not been polished. It is not operable in any of the current boxes and is being sold as a collectible. - eBay (20 Feb 09)

This key sold for $113.50 (Plus $2 Shipping).
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F.D.N.Y. ALARM BOX KEY

The shape is cool as is what it was used for:

QBSOLETE NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, ALARM BOX KEY. - eBay

This key got a high bid of $20.75 (Plus $5 Shipping) but failed to meet the reserve price.
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Another Manhole Cover Key

It was listed as an "ANTIQUE HUGE BRASS SKELETON LOCK KEY 6 INCH 1/2LB KEY", but it sure looks like a manhole cover key.

THIS UNUSUAL LARGE BRASS SKELETON KEY MEASURES 6 INCHES LONG AND 4 INCHES WIDE. IT HAS A (D) STAMPED ON ONE SIDE AND A (S) I THINK STAMPED ON OTHER SIDE OF HANDLE. IT IS VERY HEAVY 1/2LB OR MORE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THIS FITS. NEVER SEEN ONE LIKE THIS. GREAT KEY FOR ANY LOCK COLLECTION. - eBay

I already listed one here. I listed this one because this one sold. It sold for $9.99 (Plus $4.55 Shipping).
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Manhole Cover Key

Yes, even manhole covers use keys:

This is in fact a manhole cover key. The T shape is to have a grip to pull the manhole cover off. - eBay

This key has a 'Buy-it-Now' Price of $150 and an opening bid of $50 (Plus $4 Shipping) but did not attract any bids.

It has been relisted here with an opening bid of $39 and a 'Buy-it-Now' price of $60.

VINTAGE FDNY ALARM FIRE BOX KEY

This is a cool key to put on your keychain.

This is a VINTAGE "FDNY" GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM BOX KEY.

THIS IS AN OLD FDNY ALARM BOX KEY THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS WOULD USE TO RESET THE ALARM AFTER IT WAS PULLED

This is the solid brass barrel type and is marked "FDNY"

All of the boxes use to use this key are now inactive and have been removed by the city and replaced with the PTT boxes.

Another piece of history lost and never to be replaced. - eBay

This key sold for $23.50 (Plus $4 Shipping).
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Jail Prison Lock Set - Folger Adam

I have a similar lock. Not sure what I plan to do with it, but I am sure that I will find a use for it once I own my own home. Maybe use it as a lock to what will be the door to my home office.

folger adam lock/key set...joliet ill......u s only..paypal..10.00 s/h.... - eBay

This lock sold via 'Buy-it-Now' for $135 (Plus $10 Shipping).
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Abloy Classic Key Decoder Locksmith High Security

Here is an interesting device that reads the codes for Abloy lock keys:

Up for auction is a very neat and rare key decoder for the Abloy classic cylinders. Simply insert key, turn and read the direct code & also get the indirect as well. Item has rarely been used. A must have for the discriminating lock collector! - eBay

This item sold for $103.50 (Plus $5.75 shipping). Not bad for the seller! I guess not bad for the buyer either as he now has one and nobody elase does.
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ANTIQUE CHAMBERLAIN KEY CHISELLED GILDE BRONZE

This has to be the largest, most ornate and expensive key that I have seen in my life.

These auction online is for an antique key from 1850's circa.

Great work on the bow and the shank is chiselled.

Measure 8,5" long.

A Portuguese Chamberlain key - eBay

This lock has a 'Buy-it-Now' price of $4,990 (Plus $19 Shipping) and remains unsold as of this posting.

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