Friday 18 September 2015

Turn and turn about?

 I know these will not challenge you but I thought they provided a pleasant variety of some interest.   I would appreciate your ideas of dating for them.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.


top forceps, left 2 pelicans, and right 2 toothkeys. 

6.

7.

8.

9.

8 comments:

  1. My problem is Rog that Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BC in Latium (a region of central western Italy) and expanded and contracted until September 4, 476 AD (more than 12 centuries) and is still with us today as a Capital city of powerful influence on World civilisation. I suspect this item was made AD but whether decades or centuries after I am unsure.

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  2. Number 5 is not a key but a dentist's tooth extractor. It is probably English, and of eighteenth century date. I'll have a look at the rest ack emma. Goodnight.

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  3. Thanks Mike. (Number 5 is as you say a tooth extractor ~ also known as a dental key ~ see bottom right of new picture for others. The last item is not a key either but a deal of turning must have taken place on it.)

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  4. Your forceps look more like ember tongs (unusual jaws, though).

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  5. (1) Casket key, 15th century.

    (2)French latch lifter - looks early - just could be Roman.

    (3)Looks like a cross between a Roman key and a 'jew's harp'.

    (4)Double key - Italian - 17th/18th century.

    (5)Already dealt with - tooth key.

    (6)Double ended hollow barrelled key. Anglo Germanic, eighteenth century.

    (7)Bronze key, Italian (?) 15th century.

    (8)Bronze key. Italian, circa 1100s.

    (9) Locksmith's anvil (?)

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    Replies
    1. 1. Thanks, that makes sense 2. Yes, I thought Romano-Gallic 3. Yes, the key would be inserted, slid to a stop on the right and then pulled back and turned to engage the offset wards. 4. I had wondered if it might be Germanic 5. Yes, the forceps jaws would snuggle nicely round a tooth, perhaps? 6. Thanks for the info. 7 & 8, I had thought were Roman but suspect you are closer to the truth. 9. an anvil certainly

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