Detex

[Exodus5000]

I was working out in my campus gym when I noticed a lock box by the front door. It said "Detex" on it and looked pretty old. I figured it was a lock box with firemans keys in it. I know the guys who run campus security and asked them about it, they didn't seem to know much, although they did open the box and let me see the key inside.

It was attatched to a chain that looked like it was meant to be pulled out for use, and looked like a lever lock key accept it had no shape cut into it, it was just a solid rectangle where you would expect to find a shape cut into the key to deal with the levers.

My best guess is that this is a master key for the old lever locks in the building? The building is close to 200 years old, although the locks probably aren't quite that old...

Let me know what you guys think.

[raimundo]

I think if memory serves, detex is the name on those red or orange exit doors that say that an alarm will ring if you use the door. They may also have made the kind of equipement that is used to track nightwatchmens shifts, in the old days, this was a key with a number on it, the watchman would take this big round box and when he came to the place, he put the key in it, when he turned the key, it would stamp the time on a paper tape with the number of the key also, this verified that he was on his rounds at that place at that time, not sleeping or gone home. Modern versions are electronic, and the thing he carries is much smaller, but there still is a place on the wall where he has to put his tool in to get a report. What these were like 200 years ago when they built the first log cabin in wisconsin I don't knowl.

[CaptHook]

Detex has been in business a long time. They have made everything from exit alarms to boxes like you speak of. Alot of commercial building use their emergency exit alarms.
Hard to say what it was used for........ do you think you could get the security guys to look into it(see if the key opens anything)?
Chuck