Other examples of keys with solid handles have a simpler bit which projects at right angles to the handle. These may have been rotary keys. Three small copper-alloy Roman keys with solid handles. Left to right: BH-E374F2, LVPL-556548, SUR-19B512. Now that we understand a good bit about the different kinds of keys, it’s also helpful to have a little bit of familiarity with the different brands and manufacturers throughout history. These categories are really only relevant for iron keys, which are forged rather than cast (copper-alloy keys tend to be simply cast in one piece, or occasionally made from folded sheet). Solid copper-alloy key handles, originally with iron stems. From left, LANCUM-6B5B80, BH-08EF06, SF-F573C2, SF-072683. Keys with the bit at right angles to the plane of the handle

Obtained from speaking to Essyllt during Mourning's End Part II. After Song of the Elves, another can be found on the desk in the south-east room of the basement. If the bit is missing, in theory it is impossible to tell which of the sub-types of ring-key you are dealing with, but in fact almost all type 5a keys have the stem projecting from one end of the bezel, and almost all type 5b keys have the stem projecting from the centre of the bezel.The keys that go along with master keys are sometimes called valet keys {useful for cars parked in a garage where you do not want to give the attendant access to the glove box} and are also sometimes called (controversially) as slave keys. This essay by Peggy Shinner on LitHub is an insightful read on that topic. 3. Phonograph Cabinet Keys Victrola Phonograph Cabinet Key found by Shawn White while metal detecting at an old homestead. Ring-keys were classified by Guiraud (1989, 191-3) as her finger-ring type 5. Guiraud divided them into five sub-types on the basis of the bit, but only Guiraud types 5a and 5b are at all common. Type 5a usually has a hollow stem and a bit with a slot immediately below the stem, but can come in simpler versions as well (e.g. WILT-C592D7, shown below). Type 5b has a very short stem and a square or rounded bit with openwork centre. Roman ring-keys. Left, three keys of Guiraud type 5a (left above, WILT-C592D7; left below, LIN-CA7623 (with decorated ring); right, DOR-8FF913). Right, three keys of Guiraud type 5b (left, BM-B35729; centre, SUR-452144; right, BM-DE9D93).

Note that a lot of keys are made from magnetic ferrous metals prone to rust, so just because it’s rusty doesn’t necessarily mean it is old or an antique!When Ward Perkins (1940, 134-141) established his typology of large London keys, it was the only type that was mainly found in copper alloy. It does not occur as a separate type in Goodall’s Winchester typology, presumably because none were found at Winchester. Where the bow is turned at 90˚ to the modern orientation, there is a strong likelihood that the key is Roman. This feature is occasionally found with openwork key handles (such as SF-491826 illustrated above) and with solid rectangular handles (such as BH-E374F2, LVPL-556548 and SUR-19B512, all illustrated above). SOMETHING VENTURED: Uncle Sam Is Staking Start-Ups" (PDF). VentureWire. March 12, 2008 . Retrieved August 5, 2009.

In November 2018, Kingston announced that the IronKey had new features and was now FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified. [13] Given by the Silver Merchant in Ardougne after finishing the Making History quest. (It's called 'Key' when stored in the key ring.) Disappears and is no longer obtainable when all treasures are found. Keys would also often have different companies and brands stamped on them, depending on what the company made.The best source for Roman keys covers only the iron examples ( Manning 1985) but also mentions a few copper-alloy examples in passing. While the technology and style has changed over the years on modern car keys, one very interesting thing to think about is is pretty soon we may no longer even need them! It is also found with less diagnostic bow forms, such as those shown below. Small copper-alloy keys, probably of Roman date, with the bit at right angles to the plane of the handle. Left to right: SOM-391D25, HAMP-515186, NMS-AD5C44, PUBLIC-C96CA7, SF-84D6CD. The two on the left have characteristic grooved decoration on the stem. The three on the right are very similar, and there are several other examples of this type on the database. Zoomorphic handles The first step in identifying a key you might find is to look at the shape of the key and take note of any marks that might indicate the brand or manufacturer. A lot of times you can identify what a key is used for based on its shape and style. 1. Antique Barrel Keys & Round Keys for Old Doors In a public building for example, the janitor may need a key to every room to clean, but not every worker needed to access every single room. The janitor would have a master key that could open all the doors, while a worker may only have a key to his or her specific office.

The other types are very rare; type 5c has a double-sided bit, type 5d appears to be a cruder version of type 5a, and type 5e has a decorative projection which does not appear to have worked as a functional key. It is still true that “the close dating of medieval keys is a matter of great difficulty” ( Ward Perkins 1940, 133) and this is made harder by the fact that most excavated keys with secure dates are made from iron, and are rather different from the copper-alloy examples that make up 90% of the medieval keys on the PAS database. Mearian, Lucas (2016-02-08). "Kingston buys encrypted flash drive maker IronKey". Computerworld . Retrieved 2020-02-27. There is no generally accepted typology for Roman copper-alloy keys or fragments, but there are three distinctive shapes of handle; openwork (normally trilobate) and solid (normally rectangular, with a loop) are the commonest, and there are also a small number of zoomorphic handles. There may be many other less distinctive Roman keys too. Openwork handles, normally three-lobed

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The best-photographed example on the PAS database is shown below, but this does not have an end-on view showing details of the bit. It is always useful to take as many angles as you can, as these keys can be difficult to reconstruct from limited views. Winchester type B Today there are also a lot of reproductions and replacement keys that mimic old fashioned key styles so this too is something to consider if you stumble across an old key and wondering its value. The other common type of copper-alloy key recorded on the PAS database is a large key known as the London type VI key.