Category: Keys

Antique Nested Bramah Key (or Bramah style) Extremely Rare and Unique Key

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Nested Bramah Key

  Antique Nested Bramah Key Extremely Rare and Unique Key 18a This is a very unusual and rare mechanical Nested Bramah Key. The key consists of a Bramah key with another Bramah key inside of it. The spring inside the bow is manually contracted and turned (rotated) locking the inside bit in the visible and extended position. Very little is known about the original function of this key. The key was possibly used for a challenge, safe, vault or patent lock or was a prototype that never realized production, but research has not turned up anything. Much more likely, it was made as a novelty of sorts, either as a “trick” for a lock, or to go to two separate locks contained within the same house (door and jewelry box, for ex.). Unfortunately I have been unsuccessful thus far in locating a British or European patent for this key, but I am hoping someone with access to the old records can find something and forward me a copy. It is possibly (likely) made by someone else during the time period after Bramah’s original patent expired. S. Morden is known for making a Bramah style lock. The only known supposedly nested Bramah style lock is the Houdini Mirror Cuffs, which you can read more about here from the 1904 paper: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/9682308?searchTerm=%22houdini%22&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc And for more information on replicas that have been made, see here: http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2013/03/guest-blog-replica-mirror-cuffs.html It is believed this key dates to 50-75 years before the Houdini Cuffs. The key is 3 inches long in the closed position and about 3 1/2 inches long when fully extended. The larger outer barrel has 8 different cuts while the inner barrel has 4 different cuts.  The outer barrel is 3/8 inch diameter while the inner is 1/4 inch diameter. The key does have some minor rusting on it, but overall is in good working condition.   The other side of the extended key: Antique Nested Bramah Key Extremely Rare and Unique Key 18b A view of the key not extended. Note the screw and rotation slots used to extend the inner bit. Antique Nested Bramah Key Extremely Rare and Unique Key 18f A view of the key not extended: Antique Nested Bramah Key Extremely Rare and Unique Key 18g A view of the other side of the key extended: Antique Nested Bramah Key Extremely Rare and Unique Key 18h A close-up view of the bow with the spring and brass push-down: Antique Nested Bramah Key Extremely Rare and Unique Key 18i Another view of the key extended: Antique Nested Bramah Key Extremely Rare and Unique Key 18c   Another view of the key extended: Note the compressed spring: Antique Nested Bramah Key Extremely Rare and Unique Key 18d Close-up view of the key with the extended bit: Antique Nested Bramah Key Extremely Rare and Unique Key 18e

Unique Swiveling Double Bit Key

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Swiveling Double Bit Key

  Antique Key that Swivels around Middle with Double Bow and Bit Key 12a This is a very unique swiveling double bit key. I have never seen another like it and am not quite certain of its purpose. The key works by rotating the inner portion of the bow through a middle shaft connected to one of the bits that rotates out to complete the key. I presume it is possible the key was made as a safer means of having a double bit key. By allowing it to swivel, it would take up less space and the bits would be less subjected to wear and tear because they would be thicker and thus reinforced by the other bit. Ironically, if this is the intended purpose, it did not work as there is a minor break on the lower bit of one side.   Key unfolded showing both bits: Antique Key that Swivels around Middle with Double Bow and Bit Key 12e View of the other side of the key. Broken bit is visible. Antique Key that Swivels around Middle with Double Bow and Bit Key 12b View of how the key swivels. Key is partially turned in this picture: Antique Key that Swivels around Middle with Double Bow and Bit Key 12c

Substantial Large Folding Key

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Substantial Large Folding Key

  Large Antique Folding Key Hinged In Middle Rare Key 10b   This large folding key is made of iron and is likely hand riveted. It folds midway through the shaft. This is a very unusual design for a key of this size. Most keys of this stature do not fold at all. Unfortunately there is a crack in the folding mechanism, but it is probably a very old crack dating back to the era when this key was utilized and may have been part of the key from construction. Possibly used as a gate key. A view of the key folded: Large Antique Folding Key Hinged In Middle Rare Key 10e The other side of the key: Large Antique Folding Key Hinged In Middle Rare Key 10a The key folded: Large Antique Folding Key Hinged In Middle Rare Key 10c The key partially folded: Large Antique Folding Key Hinged In Middle Rare Key 10d

Antique Owl Pocket Door Key

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Owl Pocket Door Key

  Antique Victorian Owl and Floral Design Folding Pocket Door Key Rare Key 14a  

This is a very unique and rare antique pocket door key with an art deco owl decor on one side and an abstract floral pattern on the other. The key was made by the Nashua Lock company for an Eastlake pocket door lock set. This key is from the Victorian era, likely circa 1880 and is composed of brass. It folds in the middle. One side has an owl and cubist pattern (one set of cubes which creates an abstract owl face) and the other side has a sun extruding rays for the leaves. This is a very unique pocket door key, and is one of the more elaborate ones I have seen.  

Other side of the key with the leaves and sun:

Antique Victorian Owl and Floral Design Folding Pocket Door Key Rare Key 14c

Folded key:

Antique Victorian Owl and Floral Design Folding Pocket Door Key Rare Key 14e

Another view of the folded key:

Antique Victorian Owl and Floral Design Folding Pocket Door Key Rare Key 14f

Owl side of the key:

Antique Victorian Owl and Floral Design Folding Pocket Door Key Rare Key 14b

Antique Folding Key with Unique Modified Claw Handle

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 Folding Key with Claw Handle

  Antique Folding Key with Unique Modified Claw Handle Key 11a This is a unique folding key with a claw handle. The key features two different metal compositions, probably brass and steel. The handle appears to be custom made for the key which was probably originally a standard skeleton key. The shaft of the key enters the wrist of a knurled fist or claw that holds onto the decorative shaft end and provides the pivot point. Perhaps this key was used by someone rich or in a hotel. The rear of the key is stamped “3663.”   View of the back of the key: Antique Folding Key with Unique Modified Claw Handle Key 11b Folded view of the key: Antique Folding Key with Unique Modified Claw Handle Key 11c Folded rear view of the key showing the “3663” stamping: Antique Folding Key with Unique Modified Claw Handle Key 11eCl

Antique Swiveling Bit Watchman Clock Key

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Swiveling Bit Night Watchman Key

Antique SS Swiveling Bit Key Key 17d This unusual key features a swiveling bit and was used as a watchman clock security system key. A watchclock allows users to input a key such as this to manually punch their number on a pre-time stamped piece of paper during their regular patrols. It is likely from England. In England, they were also used by train engineers to ensure train schedules were maintained by marking when the engineers left each station. The bit reads either 55 or 22. I have seen others with different numbers on it as well. The key appears to be made of brass. Side View of Key: Antique SS Swiveling Bit Key Key 17a View of the other side: Antique SS Swiveling Bit Key Key 17b View of the swiveled bit: Antique SS Swiveling Bit Key Key 17c

Antique Folding Key with Double Bits and Hinged in the Middle

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Antique Folding Double Bit Key

Antique Folding Key Double Bit Hinged in Middle Key 9c This antique folding double bit key features a pivotted folding hinge in the middle and two unique bits. The key folds in half and is made of a magnetic metal, probably steel. The hinge also has a brass ring in the middle of it probably for decoration or easier lubrication for its free rotation. There is a ball-like decorations in each shaft. Key partially folded: Antique Folding Key Double Bit Hinged in Middle Key 9a Key full extended: Antique Folding Key Double Bit Hinged in Middle Key 9b