Old Skeleton Key?

Purchased a box of stuff and this was in it. It is about 9inch long and has a lot of patina on it. Looks hand made and old to me, what do you all think. U can see one little tiny gold spot on the tip would that be brass? Does it look like a old jail key? Tell me what you think. TIA

 

Did you check it with a magnet?

 

I just checked and yes magnet sticks.

 

While I suppose it could be a functioning key, it really looks like a decorator piece to me. The patina is awfully consistent and I really see no wear.

 

after 26 years my front door key...is starting to resemble a knife.

 

You can see the mold line around it meaning it's a casting - yes, probably just a decorator piece.

 

Thanks for the replys!! Rayo56 can you tell me where you see mold lines, I'm here to learn. Thanks

 

Especially in the 2nd picture - see that line that is offset in the center of the round part of the key? That is a mold line from a 2 part pattern as they molded it, then when the mold is poured with iron the solidifying metal picks up the imperfections from the sand molding process - I started pattern making in 1985 and have extensive knowledge in patterns, castings, and foundry procedures so It's easy for me to see these things but at times hard for me to explain. Hope that helped.

 

Thanks Rayo56 yes I see what you mean. Is there any way you can date something like this. It just looks to have some age to it. Did people just hang on their walls as a decorator piece. And thanks everybody!!

 

Maybe a commemorative "key to the city"?????

 

Makes a good paperweight.

 

I have no doubt that it is a cast iron fantasy key probably from China. Haven't seen anything like it among the real keys I've seen.

 

Yes it does bakersgma!!! Paperweight is what I will use it for, thanks. And Aquitaine you never know lol.

 

The head of that key looks extremely even and level.

I've cut/filed my own keys by hand (usually when I'm restoring something which has a lock on it) and I've come to know what a hand-filed key starts to look like. I'd say this is more of a decorative thing rather than an actual key.

 

I've seen keys like this coming out of China. The Indian ones are usually brass. Purely decorative. My husband is a locksmith and we have some old keys and this is definitely not a real key.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=dec...1PnOAhXLHx4KHWfYCPUQ_AUICSgC&biw=1920&bih=911