Cast Iron Gardeners Keys by Gardman

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Today there are also a lot of reproductions and replacement keys that mimic old fashioned key styles so this too is something to consider if you stumble across an old key and wondering its value.

A key which has a small simple L-shaped bit (instead of the substantial toothed bit) is more likely to be early-medieval, such as IOW-A346E4 (illustrated below). Early-medieval keys Early and middle early-medieval keys Most of the keys recorded on the PAS database are made from copper alloy, but most excavated keys (and probably most keys in use in the past) are made from iron. Keys of the two materials seem to be surprisingly different, and we should not assume that what holds for iron keys is also true for copper alloy keys. Those with openwork bows often also have suspension loops, normally short and tubular; these may have been used with rings, chains or swivels but, if so, none survive in place. One key, WMID-25B5B4, has a leather thong surviving, but it is wrapped around the bow and does not actually use the ‘suspension’ loop. Keys of London type VI with openwork bows and tubular suspension loops. Left, WMID-D7BDAC (above) and WAW-7347C6 (below). Centre, NMS-45AE81 (above) and WMID-643E11 (below). Right, WMID-7CE0D1 (above) and WMID-25B5B4 (with leather thong, below). Some of the listed capacity on a Flash storage device is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. As such, the actual available capacity for data storage is less than what is listed on the products. For more information, go to Kingston's Flash Memory Guide.The bit is always quite simple, often symmetrical, sometimes uncut. They are normally made from cast copper-alloy, but can occasionally be made from folded sheet. A selection of medieval ‘casket’ keys. Left, three keys with projecting stem-tips. Top to bottom: YORYM-BA5220, SUR-213DCA, YORYM-F9FB06. Centre, three keys with hollow tips to the stem. Top to bottom: SWYOR-1E38C8 (with lozenge bow), LIN-45359F, BUC-7FCC12. Right, cast and sheet-metal keys. Top to bottom: NLM-8E3BA4 (cast, with filemarks), DENO-273694 (of folded sheet metal). If the bit is missing, in theory it is impossible to tell which of the sub-types of ring-key you are dealing with, but in fact almost all type 5a keys have the stem projecting from one end of the bezel, and almost all type 5b keys have the stem projecting from the centre of the bezel.

These are uncommon but very distinctive keys which are found in both copper alloy and iron, in a variety of sizes. They can be recognised by their deeply split stem. Keys of Winchester type 5. Left, above: GLO-046644 (iron). Left, below: NMS-B14138. Centre left, above: SWYOR-295625. Centre left, below: LVPL992. Centre right: DUR-20B278. Right: SWYOR-974FE7. GAT-954187 is like a type VI, but has a projecting stem. Not deeply split, so probably not really a type 5. Winchester type 3 and type 4 keys (London type II and III) There is no generally accepted typology for Roman copper-alloy keys or fragments, but there are three distinctive shapes of handle; openwork (normally trilobate) and solid (normally rectangular, with a loop) are the commonest, and there are also a small number of zoomorphic handles. There may be many other less distinctive Roman keys too. Openwork handles, normally three-lobed The first step in identifying a key you might find is to look at the shape of the key and take note of any marks that might indicate the brand or manufacturer. A lot of times you can identify what a key is used for based on its shape and style. 1. Antique Barrel Keys & Round Keys for Old DoorsAntique car shows are a favorite summer past time for many people, and even car dealers, mechanics and car stores like to decorate with various old car themed memorabilia. Some of these keys appear to be regionally distinctive. Rogerson and Ashley (2012) have suggested that one type (image above, centre top) may have been produced in the Aylsham area of Norfolk; and another (image above, centre below), with lozenge bow and four circular perforations, seems to be common in the midlands, centred around Lichfield. A detailed study of the different designs of type VI keys, and their distributions, is long overdue. These barrel keys are relatively easy to identify because they have an opening at the end shaft of the key, much like a “barrel”. For this reason, if you have old car keys you don’t want, while they may not exactly be a high value item, there are certainly a lot of people who might want them! 8. Tubular Keys / Vending Keys