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Antique Keys

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Riverside Antique Keys

Riverside, California has always been a city that catered to the wealthy, and sometimes famous. A group of wealthy citrus farmers founded this city in the early 1870’s.

The lock and key were introduced into the area in 1876, when the Mission Inn was built. This was the first building in all of California that featured a lock on every interior door. This was meant to keep guests and their property safe from wandering vagrants.

All of the keys in the Mission Inn were miniature Victorian keys, which were easy to conceal and were a symbol of class and status. In fact, settlers in the area scrambled to find lock and keysets of the same style and as ornate as the Mission Inn. This was done in an effort to uphold the standards set forth by the inn.

Miniature Victorian keys feature a short shaft, simple bit and intricately designed bow. The amount of detail in the bow design signified the more expensive keysets.

Because of all the details, these keys are very difficult to care for. Antique key collectors usually turn these keys over to an experienced locksmith for regular cleanings and refurbishing.

Sometimes, the keys are so badly worn that it is impossible to get them to manipulate the lock mechanism. When this is the case, the key can usually be replicated without damaging the original key. Some collectors will still keep, and even display the original non-working key, while keeping the functional replicated key hidden from view.

You may find antique keys services in the following locations: