X-70 Find ID / Age Question

[Andy Sabisch]

Was out for a few hours this AM with the X-70 and various coil combinations at a few different sites . . . . . did fairly well but had a question on a key that turned up at one site.

Hunted near some old oak trees ringing the property and turned up these two coins (1917 Wheat and 1941s Mercury) as well as the Ford key at depths of 7" to 8"+ in short order. Hit some later common date Wheats as well along with a worn-smooth Buffalo and a War Nickel.

Of course the back of the Mercury has a deep gouge in it . . . I'm sure it was lost that way (yeah right, darn tree root got me ticked off and I taught it a lesson! Of course one never hits that clad dime that was lost a week ago!).

Anyone have an idea as to the age of the Ford key or what it might have gone to? The one side is smooth but the other side not shown does have a groove down the center. Early Ford car, tractor, ?????

Appreciate any information on the key.

Andy Sabisch



[attachment 22972 scan.jpg]

 

[Joe of South Jersey]

I think that this is what the key is for:

Reference:http://www.key-men.com/shopping/show_key.php?catnum=FXX
Catalog #: FXX

Applications: Ford Model T keys, #51-74. Dodge Brothers, 1926-27 #101-124.

Code Series: 51-74, 101-124

 

[Andy Sabisch]

Joe,

Thanks . . . . . the other side of the key has a #70 stamped on it which corresponds to the information on the page you linked to; i.e., Ford Model T keys, #51-74.

Nice to get background information on one's finds . . . . . . . not a bad find then!

Andy Sabisch

 

[Frank in NH]

n/t

 

[John LA]

I thought the double side keys came some time after the 1950s.

 

[Andy Sabisch]

It was back in 1982 and I was hunting Pelham Bay Park in NYC. They had skimmed some dirt off a portion of the park and several of us were donig quite well. One of the guys I was with did find a 1916D Mercury dime - with a nice deep scratch across the face from the landscaping equipment. Nice find but the value went to $0 . . . at least he did not do it!

 

[Rick(ND)]

I believe these were used in both the Model T and then the Model A also from what I understand working for a Ford Dealership. We had one older guy working there that handled all the antique cars the owner of the dealership had and he ID mine. I have found several of them over the years and I know I have over 15 of them with different numbers on them.
These keys were not cut like our are now, but made this way and that is the purpose of the numbers as when you needed a key you ask for the number you needed at the parts dept, so many had the same number. Back then they didn't have the problems of someone wanting to steal a car so they could get away with this.
These are always great finds as it is part of history of the automobile.

 

[richetts]

Andy,
The Ford key is quite a find. The wonderful part is, they are quite collectable. People try obtaining a full set of them, and in any condition. I have found only 2 in my years of detecting. I took some nice pics of the latest one and sold it on Ebay (after I had pics for my collection) for $13 plus shipping. the fella that bought it sent me an email telling how tickled he was that it was in good enough condition to make out details. Most Model T/A keys were used soo much that they are in very sad shape. Yours is in really good condition. With a little dip in some olive oil, it should clean right up. Here is a couple pics of the one I sold.

 

[John(Tx)]

Here's a couple of keys I found a few years back at an old homestead. The Ford key has the number 51 on the back. Haven't found another one since then. The second key is a GM key. John

 

[Andy Sabisch]

Got in touch with the person that runs the website that Joe linked to and he confirmed that the key is from a Model T.

Seems times were a bit different then and the keys were simply used to start the cars and not to keep someone from stealing it!

There were only 23 different possible keys used to start a Model T . . . if you had all 23 you could start any one built! Seems car theft had not been invented yet . . . .

Guess there are people that try to collect the entire set . . . . #51 through #74.

The one I found was #70 and it seems some others have found others in the set . . . . to me it is a great find that bridges time and is what makes this hobby so great - you never know what you will turn up!

Did a search on E-Bay and found some for sale . . . . not overly valuable but a unique piece of history to add to one's collection.

Andy Sabisch

 

[John(Tx)]

something that was lost before I was born and in some cases, way before my grandparents were born. Love this hobby!