Posted 10 years ago
chickie_le…
(1 item)
I found this amazingly large key when I was 16 at a flea market. I have always like old skeleton keys and this caught my eye. I talked to the very old man for hours. He was a veteran fulfilling his dream of traveling. The eastern coast was the last on his trip and he was selling a few things on the way. He knew nothing about the key or the company logo that is on it. I would love to find out more about the key and any info on what it would have been used for, what company made it, and the info on the company.
I found these photos interesting and have been having a hunt around for you. I had seen that 'elongated 4' before.
I have seen some things similar - masonic symbols.
You can see them on this image:
http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/history/marks/masonsmarks.jpg
There are two there of similar design: numbers 79 & 86.
The image comes from a text on Masonic history:
https://archive.org/stream/historyfreemaso03goulgoog/historyfreemaso03goulgoog_djvu.txt
They are not the same as the symbol on your key.
But I note that design 86 refers to a "Carpenters Company".
Notice too design 87.
I believe that that is the symbol at the bottom of the 'elongated 4' on your key.
Tantalisingly, on either side of the 'carpenter's symbol' are the letters 'CW'.
If you look again at design number 79 you will see CW or WC integrated into the design.
It is actually a monogram of "William Chaplane (79), from a monument erected in memory of his wife (1603)" at a cemetery at Howff in Dundee Scotland.
https://archive.org/stream/historyfreemaso03goulgoog/historyfreemaso03goulgoog_djvu.txt
No solution as yet.
But I have some ideas:
a) the C. W. may well be the initials of the owner or firm.
b) the firm or person was involved with carpentry and
c) it involves the 'Masons'
The symbol at the bottom of the 'elongated 4' is a stylised version of the 'compass and square'.