Captain Dave Posted 11 September , 2004 Share Posted 11 September , 2004 Obtained at an auction. It is 10 cm wide and has been struck with the numbers 577 in two places. Again it looks lile WW1. No one here has a clue as to what it is, so if anyone else knows, that would be pretty good. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonza Posted 11 September , 2004 Share Posted 11 September , 2004 Dave. What impression would it make by pressing downwards (ie towards battery) into soft clay for instance? It is vaguely similar to old style railway "carriage keys" by which a H or similar recess in one engages an opposite shape in the other. If the rounded bottom is completely smooth, it may have fitted into holes set into the top of 'interchangeable' stamps eg rubber admin stamps. That might explain the absence of gunk around the bottom. Ie that part is polished by wear, but the trunk under the handle is not. The worn (polished) parts on the handle might suggest that twisting was involved, making the key more likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 11 September , 2004 Share Posted 11 September , 2004 It looks like a handcuffs key to me. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Dave Posted 11 September , 2004 Author Share Posted 11 September , 2004 The base has a countersunk hole approx 1.5 cm deep. There is no method of latching onto anything else. The stamp handle theory seems most likely. Especialy if there is a wooden male end it can be pushed onto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkristof Posted 11 September , 2004 Share Posted 11 September , 2004 Can it be the grip of a "push dagger" trench knife??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 11 September , 2004 Share Posted 11 September , 2004 Its a valve key similar to the modern Castell key in that the valve can only be turned by use of that key. ie the marrying part is recessed and shaped to accept this key. Possibly for gas valves or similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsman64 Posted 14 September , 2004 Share Posted 14 September , 2004 Hi all not a definitive answer just stirring things a bit! .577 was a calibre of heavy percussion rifle as well? I think Schneider and Sharps made .577 calibre weapons. Could it have a shooting link? Good luck in your identification quest. Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petrick Posted 14 September , 2004 Share Posted 14 September , 2004 hahaha i would say its the turner from the tapp for...... the beertap. wishfull thinking i guess coo-ee patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 14 September , 2004 Share Posted 14 September , 2004 It is a valve key for an early type of acetylene cylinder as in gas welding/cutting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmsk212 Posted 14 September , 2004 Share Posted 14 September , 2004 Still looks like what used to be known as a budget key Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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