At Winchester, iron keys of type 1 are found in contexts of the early 10th to mid 12th century. c. 900-1150 AD. This date seems likely for copper-alloy examples too (see the example illustrated above with 10th-century Winchester style, DOR-6E063A). Copper-alloy keys of Winchester types 1 and 2. Left, two keys of Winchester type 1, with projecting stem-tip ( NLM-5B60B5 (an unusually large example) and SF-9D1532). Right, four keys of Winchester type 2, with hollow-ended stem ( SF-7A2A05, BH-2934A9 (above) and IOW-A346E4 (below – a casket key type), NMS-5D98AE). GAT-954187 is like a type VI, but has a projecting stem. Not deeply split, so probably not really a type 5. Winchester type 3 and type 4 keys (London type II and III) The best source for Roman keys covers only the iron examples ( Manning 1985) but also mentions a few copper-alloy examples in passing. Many of these solid rectangular handles, like the openwork handles, will have had iron stems and bits. These occasionally survive (as on LANCUM-6B5B80) but it is more common to find the copper-alloy handle on its own. These keys are typically small and similar to a suitcase style of key, but can sometimes be found in the rounded barrel shape associated with antique door keys and skeleton keys. 7. Vintage Car Keys

These are uncommon but very distinctive keys which are found in both copper alloy and iron, in a variety of sizes. They can be recognised by their deeply split stem. Keys of Winchester type 5. Left, above: GLO-046644 (iron). Left, below: NMS-B14138. Centre left, above: SWYOR-295625. Centre left, below: LVPL992. Centre right: DUR-20B278. Right: SWYOR-974FE7. 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 The earliest keys in Britain date to the Roman period. They are usually made in two pieces, with an iron stem and bit, and a copper-alloy handle or bow, but occasionally we record complete copper-alloy examples. Many of the newer cars starting in 2017 do not even require a key to turn on, which some of us who learned to drive on older cars may never quite get used to. (I’m starting to, slowly! lol) On February 8, 2016, Kingston Technology Company, Inc., announced it had acquired the USB technology and assets of IronKey from Imation. [11]In general we follow Goodall’s terminology, which is largely also followed by Egan (although Egan uses the term ‘shank’ rather than ‘stem’). The different parts of a key ( WREX-99E35C). Age: Generally speaking, the older something is the more potential value it might have. Ancient keys that are over 500 years old certainly do fetch a nice amount, although they are not generally easy to find and also do not have a huge market. 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! 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).

T-shaped keys should not be confused with early Anglo-Saxon girdle-hangers, which are superficially similar to copper-alloy T-shaped keys, but flat in cross-section, non-functional and generally decorated with stamps. Roman keys The bit is always quite simple, often symmetrical, sometimes uncut. They are normally made from cast copper-alloy, but can occasionally be made from folded sheet. A selection of medieval ‘casket’ keys. Left, three keys with projecting stem-tips. Top to bottom: YORYM-BA5220, SUR-213DCA, YORYM-F9FB06. Centre, three keys with hollow tips to the stem. Top to bottom: SWYOR-1E38C8 (with lozenge bow), LIN-45359F, BUC-7FCC12. Right, cast and sheet-metal keys. Top to bottom: NLM-8E3BA4 (cast, with filemarks), DENO-273694 (of folded sheet metal).

Specifications

We have a few copper-alloy examples recorded on the PAS database, which are probably of similar date; and, exceptionally, one 95% silver example ( HAMP-66BB77). Some are decorated, and where the decoration is diagnostic, it usually suggests a Roman date. Note the Roman-style handles on HAMP-66BB77 and BH-0852F6. Keys would also often have different companies and brands stamped on them, depending on what the company made.

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. Goodall defines these as having the bit ‘set laterally’ to the stem; in other words, the bit is attached to the stem by its edge. Type A keys are not particularly common, and are given a wide date-range by Goodall from early-medieval to post-medieval; the examples from Winchester (all of iron) date to the 10th to 15th centuries (Goodall in Biddle 1990, 1006). 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 handleThe good news is the charm and demand is higher than ever for old vintage keys (or even keys that look vintage). People love to use them for crafts and decorate with them! Most of the keys recorded on the PAS database are made from copper alloy, but most excavated keys (and probably most keys in use in the past) are made from iron. Keys of the two materials seem to be surprisingly different, and we should not assume that what holds for iron keys is also true for copper alloy keys. Phonograph cabinet keys are very similar in style to antique barrel keys, but one main difference is they usually have some type of specialty design on the head/bow of the key or in some cases even a logo/maker’s mark on them. Exactly how deeply the stem needs to be split to qualify it as a type 5, rather than just a key with a solid stem (as below), is not yet defined. As there are so few of this type, it’s best to add ‘Winchester type 5’ to the classification field even if the identification is a bit uncertain. 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.

Requires SafeConsole or IronKey EMS software management system 1. This allows central management of drive access and usage across thousands of drives. Antique car shows are a favorite summer past time for many people, and even car dealers, mechanics and car stores like to decorate with various old car themed memorabilia. Some of the listed capacity on a Flash storage device is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. As such, the actual available capacity for data storage is less than what is listed on the products. For more information, go to Kingston's Flash Memory Guide. To save you reading the whole of this guide, most medieval copper-alloy keys fall into either London type VI (large copper-alloy keys with hollow stems) or are ‘casket’ keys of various types (some of which fall into Winchester type 9). This guide will look at these two types first, and then go on to describe a few other keys. The other main Winchester types (types 3-8) are mainly made from iron and only very occasionally occur in copper alloy. ‘Casket’ keys Among Imation’s IronKey products are flash drives certified by Microsoft for Windows To Go. [16] Windows To Go is an enterprise feature of Windows 8 that enables the creation of a workspace that can be booted from a USB-connected external drive on PCs that meet Microsoft certification requirements, regardless of the operating system running on the PC. A Windows To Go product, the IronKey Workspace W300, received the Editors’ Choice accolade from PC Magazine in February 2013. [17] Products [ edit ] Secure Portable Storage [ edit ]These keys are what most people visualize and think of when we talk about old antique keys. Some people call them skeleton keys, but they are not always true skeleton master keys that can open every door in a building. {More on that in a bit!} In the 1970’s, suitcases began to shift in style and design, and today many people use simply bags or rolling cases. While a suitcase key you find may be over 50 years old, these keys aren’t much different in style or shape than ones you can buy today. 6. Stringed Instrument Case Keys The bow is normally simple and circular, but can occasionally be more elaborate; lozengiform bows are sometimes found. The stem is normally hollow at the end, but occasionally can be solid, tapering to project beyond the bit.