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Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:12 pm
by Status6
Anyone know what type of lock this key is used in?

EF key profile and two small cut outs on the bottom, also not the standard Schlage coining.

Thanks!

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:14 pm
by Status6
2nd picutre

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:20 pm
by macgng
i was thinking it could be a hotel function key, but the cuts are in the wrong spot.

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:43 pm
by Squelchtone
is it for some old version of construction ball keying, prior to the Protecto Key (PK) Balls, where you turn the key 180, then turn it back to 0, and remove the construction balls from the lock using those under cuts? That's looks like a 70's Schlage logo.

Squelchtone

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:52 pm
by mastersmith
I don't know Squelch, it looks like the two odd cuts are between the chambers. This is strictly a guess, but I'm thinking ward cuts. Maybe to allow the key to turn where the operating key can't? Like bypassing a night lock function on a hotel? I don't recall ever seeing this.

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:50 pm
by Squelchtone
mastersmith wrote:I don't know Squelch, it looks like the two odd cuts are between the chambers. This is strictly a guess, but I'm thinking ward cuts. Maybe to allow the key to turn where the operating key can't? Like bypassing a night lock function on a hotel? I don't recall ever seeing this.


hmmm, you're probably right. Could it possibly be for something like the Kwikset 6 pin control key that allows removal of the knob face/deadbol cylinder assembly?

Image

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 1:36 pm
by Status6
Cleaned it up further it reads "Prop Univ Of Maine"
so if anyone worked there or serviced their locks may know

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 2:00 pm
by mdc5150
There is another possibility. It could be something as simple as a locksmith made marks like that so he could know at a glance something about that key. We get customers from time to time that have do not dup keys made and for one reason or another as us to make a notch in the bow.

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:01 pm
by magician59
This was for expansion of master key systems (Back when I had hair). The cylinders were grooved to accept "compression" rings, thet would restrict the operation of keys, unless they were cut in the appropriate positions to bypass the wards. Obsolete now. If you have the matching cylinder, you've got a collectible.

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:32 pm
by Status6
magician59 wrote:This was for expansion of master key systems (Back when I had hair). The cylinders were grooved to accept "compression" rings, thet would restrict the operation of keys, unless they were cut in the appropriate positions to bypass the wards. Obsolete now. If you have the matching cylinder, you've got a collectible.


Interesting!

No sadly I only have the key.

Thank you!

Re: Weird Schlage key

PostPosted: Sun Jun 25, 2017 8:25 pm
by pennme
You will notice that the cuts on the bottom of the key fall in line with being in between the actual pin chambers. Indeed there was a ring that went there. There could be up to 5 rings. I used to have two cylinders for these but am unsure where they are now. In any case, on the inside of the cylinder, there were two cuts the length of the cylinder. The rings fit about 3/4 of the way round the plug, and had a small tab the protruded out. They were handed for either right or left handed installations. These were used in hotels. The guest key did NOT have a cuts on the bottom of the key, and as a result, would only allow the key to turn one direction, and only so far so that they could only operate the latch. If the key had the notches in it, such as an Emergency key, it would allow full rotation, and allow not only the retraction of the latch, but also the deadbolt.
If I find mine, I will post pictures some times.