locating a skeleton key for old house

[PonicalChillin]

Hey all,

I have an old house (built in the 1920s).

Every door in the house has these old style knobs/locks which require a skeleton key I assume.

Anyone know where I can locate such a key so that I can lock the door leading to my attic stealthly. I'd rather not put a noticeable lock on the door to prevent friends/family from wondering why the door has a big ol' master lock on it.

I dont know where to begin. I know there are several styles and the key shop around here as a ring of them. They are asking like $5/ea!! Too much for a key that I don't even know is going to work. Anyway to figure this out without trying each and every key?

I could possibly post pictures of the knob/door/lock if it'll help any key experts identify what i'd need.

Any help is greatly appreciated, as well as other suggestion to lock an old door in a stealthy way without damaging the original door.

 

[Guest]

First you might want to make sure the lock box still works. I also have an old house and most of the lock boxes are rusted or the mechanics are broken. If it works then I would take the lock box out and take it to the key store. They should be able to match it up with a key.

 

[Guayaki]

Time to dig up an old post that I found searching for skeleton keys. I just bought a really old forclosed house (1870's) in a state 2000 miles away. Didnt even look at the house except for a few pictures off of the internet. Really great price, low taxes, and near a job that I will be starting soon. Well I get my front and back door keys and they are both skeleton keys. House has 15 doors inside that all use a different skeleton key to lock/unlock them. In the basement there is a door way in the back, ( by all the cobwebs) haha that is locked and I wanted to get in. I assume its just a closet or cellar. I ordered a lot of 20+ skeleton keys on ebay and not a 1 of them opens this door. I got 3 of them that will lock/unlock other doors throughout the house but not this door in the basement. I wanted to set up my grow in there over this past weekend for a little more stealth. I dont wanna break the door down as its really nice and pretty solid. Ive read that allen wrenches work sometimes so I will get a set of those tomorrow and if that doesnt work I'll probably take the lock box out and see if a locksmith or someone can find a key for it. I know I would find better answers elsewhere on this subject on what to do next but just thought I would share the story with yous.

 

[Treetops]

Guayaki,
I too have an old, old house..deed of 1809..most hardware stores sell skeleton keys a master key of days of old...remember each and every door had its own unique key..if you cant get the lock to open, maybe you can remove the door by knocking out the hinge pins..then swing the door in and remove the lock...most times they still work fine, as the parts often get misaligned inside the lock itself..it you can at least get the door open, a dead bolt is an easy fix as well..

Good luck...who knows what treasures you will find...Have fun.

Peace,
Treetops

 

[Guayaki]

Hi treetops. I took the hinges off the other day and tried pulling out on the hinges but it doesnt come out very much. I think it will if I really give it a good tug but I hear wood starting to crack by the lock and I would really like to save the door and lock. Ill see what the hardware stores around here have for a master key otherwise I will tug away tomorrow and get in there and put my own lock on it. I thought about the treasures too inside. haha. The suspense has got me now. Ill let ya know if I find anything interesting inside.

 

[hedpi]

Don't you have locksmiths over there?
You could call one up and get him to do it..i mean, it's their job lol
Anyway good luck with it

 

[yamaha_1fan]

I think those old door knobs and locks are antiques so I would try not to break them. If you want to swap them, you can probably sell those locks and door knobs.

 

[Guest]

Yamaha, bingo on that one, especially the glass knob types, many of which have changed colors over the years due to Zinc (as I recall) in the glass formulation. Antique freaks love collecting them.

Ty-Stik

 

[Treetops]

Hi treetops. I took the hinges off the other day and tried pulling out on the hinges but it doesnt come out very much. I think it will if I really give it a good tug but I hear wood starting to crack by the lock and I would really like to save the door and lock. Ill see what the hardware stores around here have for a master key otherwise I will tug away tomorrow and get in there and put my own lock on it. I thought about the treasures too inside. haha. The suspense has got me now. Ill let ya know if I find anything interesting inside.

Hey,
Did you ever find any treasure behind that door?

Thanks,
Peace,
Treetops

 

[ethereal]

arghhhhhhh.......



are they solid brass?take a magnet to the hardware on the doors...if its brass go scrap it!
all of it!
1920s? time to upgrade/refurbish, no? a skeleton lock aint exactly very safe if u are looking for decent security fer the growroom!

but maybe its not an issue to u. dunno...
but, hell, if it were>> me id fer shit sure sell all that crap!
be it antiques road show eek or the scrap yard
and use the spare dough u made towards buyin cheapo (white metal/cheap) replicas to replace them with more secure locking abilities too
like a resto-mod believe me. WORKING door hardware, thats faux brass, will INCREASE homes value more then leaving broken original hardware.
nobody will realize or know the diffeerence. believe me. i used to do this for a living kinda..

(brass scrap metal prices are up there right now, im pretty sure..parta reason i mention it as a viable option now)

might wanna take advantage?
take care man n good luck with it all..no matter what ya choose doin

 

[Treetops]

Did you ever get in that door? I love treasure hunts...LOL

Treetops

 

[magiccannabus]

Just cut a key out of a thick piece of sheet metal. Works great. I did this all the time back at my father's house(built in the 1870s).

 

[A-Loc]

Maybe he found a worm hole or a portway of some sort and found a cannabis friendly parralel universe...