Project help - please measure your NATO Mersey key for me
At the moment I'm interested in its key, and specifically I'm looking at the variations in key bitting lengths and figuring out both the bitting steps, and the manufacturing tolerances. If you have a Mersey key in your collection, could you please measure the shaft diameter, and the lengths of each cut including the shaft, as per the picture below?
Other data I'm interested in is whether your key is a makeup (like mine in the photo below) or solid, and anything you think is interesting or unusual about your key. Is it handcut? Are there unusual wear patterns? Whatever. A photo would be great.
Nomenclature:
Depending on whether you have the 10 or 14 lever version, you'll have two unopposed cuts the same length on one side of the key at the bow end (these tension the bolt and on my key are smack on 13.00mm) and then either 5 or 7 paired cuts. We'll call this the LEFT side. So L1 will be the first cut immediately after the two tensioning cuts, R1 will be the opposite, and so on. Measurements in mm would be appreciated and for the love of God make sure your calipers are zeroed...
Also: I'm in the market for both Mersey locks (with or without keys) and Mersey keys by themselves. Any version, any condition. Swaps, cash, whatever.
Thanks and best wishes,
Michael.