Dominion 750 key blank -- unusual key

[Jacob Morgan]

Recently came into a batch of uncut key blanks. New old stock. Some really neat stuff, but one group of keys is kind of strange:



Looked up the blank and it is a Dominion 750. Was apparently used on Snap-On tool boxes and Fort products. It looks like it is pre-cut, but it still has to be cut for a given lock, with the high points being cut for double sided disc wafer locks.

One of these showed up on the forum a couple of years ago:

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=58488&p=427449&hilit=dominion+750#p427449

It is interesting how one side of the bow is grooved to help one know which way is up, as the key blade is not symmetrical.

What has me confused, even after reading through those old posts, is what on earth was the point of having what looks like cuts already in the key, and then cutting it anyway to fit the disc tumbler lock it went to? Was it to give clearance to the other side of each disc and save time in cutting the keys at the factory?

[GWiens2001]

That is actually a blank. It saves time cutting, I guess.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

That is actually a blank. It saves time cutting, I guess.

Gordon

With the extra time it takes to make sure it is in the key machine correctly, it is kind of a letdown when the machine
merely seems to give the key a slight scraping, but the client hasn't returned so I'm gonna say I did it right

I have only cut one or two of the double sided keys in this series they also make a few others that are similar

[cledry]

Dominion was actually the aftermarket manufacturer of the blank, they aren't really unusual. The key is actually for Fort double sided locks, there are several keyways. They are still manufactured and not uncommon. I believe they are supposed to add a bit more security over a single-sided lock.

[Jacob Morgan]

Thanks for the info.