Simmons Commemorative lock

[oldbiscuit]

I just had to show this lock because of the key. The lock was a commemorative lock put out by Simmons hardware co., to show all the locations of their major warehouses. The lock is from the 1920's. It's a six lever lock that I purchased locked without a key ( kind of par for the course when it comes to these old locks). Not having a barrel blank the right size, I opted for the next best thing, make one. I decided to make a brass key , and not having any brass barrel stock, I started with a solid chunk of used brass bar stock I had laying around. I drilled the hole for the center of the barrel then rough cut it to shape. After a lot of grinding and filing I was able to form the round barrel and the two flats. Now it was time to cut it to make the lock open. I had already picked the lock and figured out the heights and depths so I transfered those measurements to the key. I took my time cutting ,filing and testing the key many times before it finally worked perfectly. The next thing was what to do with the bow of the key? I tossed around several traditional designs, but in the end I opted for the Letter S for Simmons. After it was all cut out and filed into shape I took it to the buffing wheel and polished it out. At least this way I can show it's a one of a kind. Hope you all enjoy the pictures. Mark

[MBI]

Very cool.

[Oldfast]

Wow! Beautiful work on that key... very nice.

[oldbiscuit]

Thanks guys. I've made other brass keys for locks, but usually I start out with either a brass tube or round brass rod which I drill. Then I silver solder the flats and bow on them and go from there. This was the first time I built one from a solid chunk of brass.