My Grandad found this key

[Trilby]

It's really quite long for a key, looks like a lever lock key except it has cuts on one side AND the other side. It's like two keys in one. What the hell is it? He can't remember what it's supposed to unlock. It's about 6 inches long and has a key on both sides of the stick.

[Klaiviel]

Can you post a picture?

[ChemicalRobot]

A picture would be endlessly helpful.

[unlisted]

Double bittted key. Nuff said.

PHOTO!

[Solomon]

What unlisted said. It's a double bitted key for a lever lock, they're commonly used on safes.

[loki-aka]

Wasn't this style used, years ago, in corrections ?

[unlisted]

Only jail keys I have ever seen are all single bitted keys, large.



I am sure squelchtone will be along shortly with more info..

Oh, more info on cell/jail/prison keys: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=44113

[loki-aka]

Thanks, unlisted.

[Evan]

Yale once upon a time, a long long time ago used to make double-bitted "spike key" jail locks...

Check out the really good picture of one I found on the web which is attached below...

There is a really good webpage about old jail locks at:

www .1st-net-lock-museum.com/jl1.htm

~~ Evan

[de23an]

do you know any sites that sell old or unusual keys ive bought a few off ebay but there mostly modern

[Trilby]

I don't have a camera or anything =|

Yes it's double bited, but the bites are a different shape on either side. It's very long, from the d to the l on a keyboard. It's definately not a prison key, it's thin, but looks heavy duty. I'm curious, how would you pick a mortise/lever lock that's like that? Surely that's an impossible lock to pick.

[Anyone]

I've seen that type of key used on safes. 2 different keys for two locks on the safe door, both exactly like you describe.