A picturesque narrative: The safe key.

[Warder]

Dedicated and passionate.... I love it!
I'm SO GLAD you documented & shared the journey with us.
Very nice work M... VERY nice.

Such craftsmanship is rare these box-mall days

[10ringo10]

Thanks for posting gives some insight into old safe keys and there wardings.
it still amazeing the work that went into these old keys, real craftsmanship.

[Altashot]

Thanks guys for all the kind comments!

It sure is nice to share this with you all and know that you really understand and appreciate what went into this.
I am not sure how these keys were made in the 1800's but having made one now, I understand why locksmithing branched off blacksmithing, the blacksmith had other things to do! I didn't make any profit on this key but I didn't loose either, just broke even. For the pleasure it brought me, it was worth it. In this fast paced money hungry world, there are still some artisans. I consider myself one. I became known locally for the quality of my work, and my customers, for the most part, want quality and are willing to pay for it. That is just what is expected of me and, I live up to it.

I love what I do, it does not seem like work anymore, life is good, I get paid to play...And yes, It is a passion.

M.

[keymaster1053]

is there any chance your customer will give you some pictures of the finished product when he is done?

[Riyame]

Thanks guys for all the kind comments!

It sure is nice to share this with you all and know that you really understand and appreciate what went into this.
I am not sure how these keys were made in the 1800's but having made one now, I understand why locksmithing branched off blacksmithing, the blacksmith had other things to do! I didn't make any profit on this key but I didn't loose either, just broke even. For the pleasure it brought me, it was worth it. In this fast paced money hungry world, there are still some artisans. I consider myself one. I became known locally for the quality of my work, and my customers, for the most part, want quality and are willing to pay for it. That is just what is expected of me and, I live up to it.

I love what I do, it does not seem like work anymore, life is good, I get paid to play...And yes, It is a passion.

M.

According the the antique lock forum they used to make these keys with really small metal chisels.

[Altashot]

Thank you Rianme for that info. It confirms what I thought, they were forged.

On another note, the new owner of that key sent me some pictures of his completed restoration project.
It turns out that it is a strongbox and not a safe.

Here they are:

M.






(Edit Riyame: Pictures fixed)

[Oldfast]

maybe?

[Riyame]

(Mod Power) maybe?

What? Who? Me?

And DANNNNNG, that is a sweet lock box.

[Altashot]

Thanks again Rianme!

M.

[GWiens2001]

Thank you for the pictures of the completed box, Altashot. That strongbox really needed the artistry that you put into the key. They compliment each other.

Gordon

[Oldfast]

Thanks Altashot (and Riyame)... How beautiful is that?!!!

[rphillips52]

May I add my complements on this job.
In the past, making the 'box of wards', and then making keys to match, were specialised jobs. Then the safemaker bought in a complete box of wards + key to fit.

This is almost a safe - when the lid became to big and heavy to lift as a box lid, the box had the handles removed and stood on end ... becoming a cupboard. Such castiron safes continued to be made into the 1840's.

[10ringo10]

great job on the key... if only they had found a better way to fix the 1/4 inch door plate to the back box, containing the bolt works than useing 4 bolts tapped into it.