Old Rim Locks

[citizensmith]

We have inherited loads of these in this house - but no keys! - Is there a way to get keys cut even if you dont have an original as a template? Can anyone assist?

 

[Nemesis]

Try here:

http://www.oldlockandkeyco.co.uk/home.htm


http://www.antique-locks.com/

 

[NT]

Just take the locks to a locksmith, its not hard to do. But go at a non-busy time, it takes longer.


NT

 

[Lime]

Most older houses have them and getting a new key cut is relatively simple.
Perhaps the biggest gripe is getting a suitable "old style" handle on the key.
So many modern keys look quite pathetic in comparison to older keys.

I use older keys that fit but don't turn and convert them into skeleton keys or, if I'm lucky, sometimes find an old key that fits with no alteration.
However I confess to having 1000s of keys collected over the years so it is easy for me to do that.

 

[Moo]

... 1000s of keys collected over the years so it is easy for me to do that.

However long does it take to try all those keys to find the one that fits?

 

[citizensmith]

Thanks for the helpful advice - I have ended up replacing the rim lock completely with a near identical one (the new one is a better quality than the old one which was far from an antique anyway). the result looks and works well and we now have two keys to label up before we lose them!
I had looked on e*ay and by fluke found an architectural ironmonger's in our own town that I did not know existed. So I got myself a new source of quality fittings without paying for postage - Great!

 

[Lime]

... 1000s of keys collected over the years so it is easy for me to do that.

However long does it take to try all those keys to find the one that fits?

Not long at all.
During my teenage years at boarding school I discovered that I had an "eye" for keys; one look and I could make one just like it.
It gave a purpose to metalwork lessons which were otherwise making pokers, copper jugs etc. (all the usual stuff).