Summary

Iron or steel key for unscrewing the pin in the pipe of key MJ 215, made by John Bryden and Sons, 80 Rose Street, Edinburgh, c. 1839

Accession Number

H.MJ 216

Other references

Original description

Key for extracting the pin. Caption note, April 1993: Key for unscrewing the pin in the pipe of key MJ 215. Made by John Bryden & Sons, Edinburgh, about 1839. ORF: Iron or Steel Key for MJ 215. Description: Iron or steel key for extracting pin from inside pipe of MJ 215. The pin inside MJ 215's pipe is an extra security device. The pin acts as a guide, ensuring that the key is lined up with the warding and levers. If a false key was tried without the pin, then the key would sink too low into the lock to navigate the warding. If a false key was tried with a makeshift pin that was too long, it would be too high to navigate the warding. The pin ensures that the key when inserted is at the precise level to turn smoothly in the lock. The inside [of] MJ 216's pipe has a square shaped section, for unscrewing the pin inside MJ 215's pipe. Bow is made of stamped (?) flat steel. Note turned decoration on stem, and braze seam just above it. Three piece construction. See also MJ 213, MJ 215, MJ 296 and 296 A, K.2002.333.1 - 2, K.2002.341.1 - 3, and K.2002.348.1 - 8. Made by John Bryden and Sons, 80 Rose Street, Edinburgh, c. 1839. Presented with MJ 215 by Harry B. Bryden, 41 Heriot Row, Edinburgh, 1935. Marks/Inscriptions: '7' on bow. Material(s): Iron or steel. Dimensions: 6 mm H, 106 mm L, 6 mm W, 6 mm D. Maker: John Bryden and Sons. Maker Place: 80 Rose Street, Edinburgh. Date Made: c. 1839. Registered By: A.M. Allen. Date Completed: 16/7/04.

Associated person/people (e.g. excavator/former collection)

None

Discovery / field collection

Date of discovery

Not recorded

Method (e.g. excavation)

Not recorded

Place (i.e. location of discovery)

Grid reference

Not recorded

Acquisition

Acquisition date

1935

Acquisition source (i.e. name of donor)

Not recorded

Acquisition source role (e.g. donor)

Donor

Image