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Antique Keys

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Tucson Antique Keys

When gold was discovered in California in 1848, an influx of settlers ventured to the area now known as Tucson. These settlers brought the idea of the lock and key to the area in an attempt to secure any gold they found.

The majority of these locks and keys were found in small pieces of furniture that resemble modern day jewelry boxes. The locks were roughly the size of a silver dollar. The keys to the locks were about the size of a penny.

Most of the antique keys in the area are considered miniature Victorian keys. The bow section, or hole through which a bow was threaded, of the key is ornate when compared to the size of the key. Designs such as flowers, lace designs were the most common on the antique keys.

Because of the intricacy of the design and the delicacy of the lock, it is vitally important that only qualified locksmiths and antique restorers work on Tucson antique keys. The arid desert weather wreaks havoc on the metal keys. Rust, cracks and other physical blemishes are common among these keys. If these defects are too bad, the key will have to be restored or re-minted to work in the lock. In some cases, the lock has to be restored as well.

Many of the keys for antique locks most common in Tucson are widely available on the Internet. However, these keys will not have the worn look that many antique aficionados are looking for when they purchase antiques. Some specialized locksmiths may be able to artificially weather the key without affecting its function.

You may find antique keys services in the following locations: