Sun Mar 16, 2014 12:49 pm by escher7
Wild guesses:
- 7" is quite big, suggesting it had to go through a thick door or gate.
- design is not sophisticated, i.e. not hollow, no turnings etc. Probably used by common folk. Could almost be hand made.
- The end profile suggests an unusual keyway as the "club" shape wouldn't go through the normal slot.
- Could be either a warded or simple lever lock.
Did it come from "offshore"? Was grandma born elsewhere and maybe brought the key?
On browsing the web I see hooked ends at the bit end, which provide additional warding by restricting the keyway, but not solid "clubs" like this one which doesn't really seem to function as warding so much as maybe having something to do with the actual locking mechanism. That's why I don't think the lock would be a simple warded lock. The rounded parts of the bitting are likely involved in lifting some sort of levers.
As I said: wild guesses.
P.S. The more I look at this key the more it looks hand forged, except for the stamped number. Maybe hand made in a small shop somewhere.