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Antique Keys

Plumber San Diego

Locksmith San Diego

San Diego Antique Keys

From 1820 to 1830, San Diego's population of fur trappers and settlers began to build adobes. Because there were not any sturdy doors, the trappers began using locks brought to the area by merchants to turn the adobes into large safes to store their wares.

Because the area was relatively poor, only the general store owner purchased more than the simplest locks. Unbeknownst to the owner, all of the locks used the same key pattern.

After 28 people were killed in 1826 during a skirmish between the San Diego Presidio soldiers and local Native American tribes, settlers felt the need to secure their homes. To meet this need, the general store owner purchased wooden doors and metals fixtures, including locksets. This time, he purchased double-sided locksets to increase safety. Settlers willingly paid the higher price for these sets.

Today, antique looking keys are plentiful in the San Diego area. However, many of these keys are modern day replicas of the beautiful keys of the past. When an antique collector or key aficionado finds an authentic antique key, they treat it with the utmost respect.

San Diego antique keys are very delicate. Only the most experienced locksmiths and antique curators should be given the privilege of working on these integral parts of history, as these keys are often weak and brittle from age and climatic effects.
In some cases, the antique keys are so worn that the key has to be re-minted and refashioned to fit the original lock. In other cases, the key needs only a simple cleaning to make the set functional.

Antique key services in the region are provided by locksmith San Diego. 24-7 emergency, residential and commercial services.

You may find antique keys services in the following locations: