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a key to....?

PostPosted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:31 pm
by PhoneMan
I got this key from my neighbor when he gave me a bunch of old work keys they were throwing out years ago. Most were generic sc1 as well as small wafer lock keys. Still have most in a bucket, but this one stood out:
Picture 6.jpg

The first pic is the overall key, the second is the end of it. My neighbor had no clue what it was to either.
The tip is at an angle, kind of like a hypodermic needle, but not at all sharp. Says "CG4" on the bow.
Picture 7.jpg

Re: a key to....?

PostPosted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:39 pm
by GWiens2001
Had a lock that took one of those on a gas meter where I lived about 15 years ago. When you push it in, it pulls in some fingers, releasing the lock. Not claiming any guilt or anything, but found a little copper tubing worked for it, too. :roll:

Gordon

Re: a key to....?

PostPosted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 5:06 pm
by PhoneMan
Gordon, that sounds like one of these: viewtopic.php?f=111&t=7797
So this is another type of utility key? Wonder how my neighbor got it, as our utility company uses the kind in the linked post, and the cable company uses a tool like a McGard theftproof lugnut.

Re: a key to....?

PostPosted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:40 pm
by PhoneMan
No one else have info?

Re: a key to....?

PostPosted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:48 pm
by MBI
PhoneMan wrote:No one else have info?

I think Gweins is right. I haven't seen your particular type of key before, but it sure does look like one of the many types of locks often used by utility companies. I guess technically they're a lock, since they have a key to open them, but functionally speaking they're more of a reusable tamper-resistant seal.

CG could be initials for the company who used it. Perhaps browse this list and see if any names look recognizable to you as local companies who might have use for a device like that, such as utility companies, shipping companies, places that work with medical supplies ...

http://www.acronymfinder.com/CG.html

Re: a key to....?

PostPosted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 9:01 pm
by oldbiscuit
Phoneman, I'm thinking it's not a key at all, but maybe a connecting or locating pin of some kind? I know on a lot of different tools I've used over the years that some have brackets that are attached with pins very much like this. Most had a small cable through the bow hole to keep the pin with the tool. Some pins were hollow and some were solid. Some had detent balls in the ends and some were just smooth. The angle cut on the end would help align the pin going through two holes much like a taper would on a solid pin. Just a thought, I could be all wrong, but who knows??

Re: a key to....?

PostPosted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 9:31 pm
by MBI
oldbiscuit wrote:Phoneman, I'm thinking it's not a key at all, but maybe a connecting or locating pin of some kind? I know on a lot of different tools I've used over the years that some have brackets that are attached with pins very much like this. Most had a small cable through the bow hole to keep the pin with the tool. Some pins were hollow and some were solid. Some had detent balls in the ends and some were just smooth. The angle cut on the end would help align the pin going through two holes much like a taper would on a solid pin. Just a thought, I could be all wrong, but who knows??

Could be, but whatever it ends up being, it has wear patterns on the bow and top of the shaft that it would get from being carried on a keyring with keys or similar items.

Re: a key to....?

PostPosted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 1:02 pm
by PhoneMan
All very good ideas. The place it came from is a psychiatric hospital, so I originally thought restraints, but my neighbor said they've only used one kind of restraints and the key for them is flat. (I have 30+ of said flat keys, as they no longer use that model of restraint)

I like the tool idea, but I also tend to think like Gordon and MBI. Whatever it is, it's undoubtedly a simple lock.