Hand-forged wrought iron skeleton key

Archive

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William Bull & Sarah Wells Stone House Association Inc

Hand-forged wrought iron skeleton key

Hand-forged wrought iron skeleton key

Name/Title

Hand-forged wrought iron skeleton key

Entry/Object ID

100424

Scope and Content

(AI) Antique hand-forged wrought iron skeleton key (barrel/rim lock key). Construction & Form: Bow: Simple rounded oval loop. Shank: Turned cylindrical shaft featuring decorative molded collar rings near the top. Bit: Large, solid rectangular bit with precise vertical and horizontal notch cuts designed to pass internal warded lock plates. Function & Era: Typically 18th to early 19th century, used to operate heavy iron rim locks or mortise locks on exterior doors, gates, or large wooden chests/trunks.