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Found Key!

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 8:32 pm
by MelinaC
Hi there!

I hope it's ok to post this here.
My husband found a Ford key during a metal detecting outing.
It is Ford, with the initials "C D" under the logo. On the back of the key it has the number "58".
I would post a photo of it, but I'm a new member - not sure if there is even that option.
Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 10:45 pm
by DHort
Just go to bottom of page. Click attachments. Add file. Then you can include a photo. That might be a T key, but not worth much.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 11:18 pm
by MelinaC
DHort wrote:
Mon Oct 14, 2019 10:45 pm
Just go to bottom of page. Click attachments. Add file. Then you can include a photo. That might be a T key, but not worth much.
Thank you.
I'm unable to find "attachments". Do those instructions also work for a phone user?

It's certainly not in perfect condition, but thought it was a cool find nonetheless.
I tried doing a bit of research on it, and everything came up as a Model T key (found "C D" is Cabkey Dupree). And in the results, this forum popped up as well, so I thought I'd give this a whirl.

Thanks again for your input.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 8:58 am
by John kuehn
Did you go to post reply? When you go to post reply that is where you will make a reply and attachments are at the bottom if you want to add any.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:34 am
by jab35
Melina: Here's an earlier Forum post on Model T keys. As with many model T components, there were multiple suppliers of keys. Possibly 'C-D' supplied keys for Canadian Fords? Briggs also supplied many model T keys. You can get an idea of value from the internet, original Model T keys are almost always available there, for as little at $10 us. And reproductions are plentiful too for about the same cost, but repro's are mostly junk according to some who post here.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1300782009

Thanks for sharing your information on this Forum, jb

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 10:47 am
by Original Smith
I believe there were at least four different companies that supplied keys for Fords. The key you found should have a number on the other side of the key. Many companies made replacement keys too without the Ford script.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:29 am
by MelinaC
If this worked, here are two photos - front and back.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:29 am
by MelinaC
John kuehn wrote:
Tue Oct 15, 2019 8:58 am
Did you go to post reply? When you go to post reply that is where you will make a reply and attachments are at the bottom if you want to add any.
Thank you!

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:30 am
by MelinaC
jab35 wrote:
Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:34 am
Melina: Here's an earlier Forum post on Model T keys. As with many model T components, there were multiple suppliers of keys. Possibly 'C-D' supplied keys for Canadian Fords? Briggs also supplied many model T keys. You can get an idea of value from the internet, original Model T keys are almost always available there, for as little at $10 us. And reproductions are plentiful too for about the same cost, but repro's are mostly junk according to some who post here.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1300782009

Thanks for sharing your information on this Forum, jb
Thank you so much for the information.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:50 am
by John kuehn
As with the amount of Model T’s made, we can imagine how many keys were made also over the years to replace the lost ones and the amount that were at Ford dealerships. This style of key was made from 1919-27. A nice original in good condition can be had for around 10-15 dollars and the reproductions for 10.00. Purists usually want the originals of course but having both in my cars the reproductions aren’t as bad as some would want folks to believe. Mine work fine and I don’t consider them junk just because it’s not ‘original’.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 3:46 pm
by MelinaC
John kuehn wrote:
Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:50 am
As with the amount of Model T’s made, we can imagine how many keys were made also over the years to replace the lost ones and the amount that were at Ford dealerships. This style of key was made from 1919-27. A nice original in good condition can be had for around 10-15 dollars and the reproductions for 10.00. Purists usually want the originals of course but having both in my cars the reproductions aren’t as bad as some would want folks to believe. Mine work fine and I don’t consider them junk just because it’s not ‘original’.

John, you've been of great help. Thank you so much!

This forum is amazing. It's so nice to see people connecting here through shared interests and are more than willing to help others.
I will definitely be recommending this totally rockin' forum to others. :D

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 4:41 pm
by Ruxstel24
Just for the record, a friend gave me a repop key and the straight groove is not centered and it no worky. Won’t even go in. :( It’s a diamond shaped key like pictured above.
I may try a dremel and widen the groove.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 5:50 pm
by MelinaC
Ruxstel24 wrote:
Tue Oct 15, 2019 4:41 pm
Just for the record, a friend gave me a repop key and the straight groove is not centered and it no worky. Won’t even go in. :( It’s a diamond shaped key like pictured above.
I may try a dremel and widen the groove.
Ruxstel, sorry to hear that. Perhaps someone on the forum has one who would offer one to you :)
I'd offer you this one, but...I highly doubt it would work. Lol. If I remember correctly, the key was found 6" below ground...as you can see, it has definite signs of erosion. But I like it. Something cool for our collection of finds.

Wishing you the best of luck with your key.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 7:43 pm
by Scott_Conger
I think the great part of the story and the value, is that your husband FOUND it. Not all treasure must be AU to be valuable to the finder.

regards to you and your treasure huntin' hubby

Dig a little deeper and maybe find the car? :lol:

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 7:49 pm
by Dallas Landers
How true Scott. I found a skeleton key in my yard while digging tile for downspouts. My house was built in 1899. Thoughts of how it got there or who lost it and why is the real treasure. I lost an entire keychain full of keys one time! What a pain that was. I keep the key I found in my office with all my old tools on the wall.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 7:54 pm
by George Mills
If memory serves me....there are only four tumbler patterns in the entire key number range....the rest of the variable is in differing slot locations.

Before you Dremel the slot...look close at the key tumbler area...it will have a number stamping...the repop -ed key needs to be the same number, not just the same pattern

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 8:21 pm
by Ruxstel24
George, I have a 55 ignition key and cylinder, the newer key’s slot is off compared to 2 older round head 55 keys I have.
There was another original Ford key around, but I haven’t found it. It also fit.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 8:59 pm
by DHort
If I remember correctly, my set of master keys do not have slots. They look like they were punched out on a press. Flat on both sides.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 7:40 am
by yukonjack
MelinaC wrote:
Tue Oct 15, 2019 5:50 pm
Ruxstel24 wrote:
Tue Oct 15, 2019 4:41 pm
Just for the record, a friend gave me a repop key and the straight groove is not centered and it no worky. Won’t even go in. :( It’s a diamond shaped key like pictured above.
I may try a dremel and widen the groove.
Ruxstel, sorry to hear that. Perhaps someone on the forum has one who would offer one to you :)
I'd offer you this one, but...I highly doubt it would work. Lol. If I remember correctly, the key was found 6" below ground...as you can see, it has definite signs of erosion. But I like it. Something cool for our collection of finds.

Wishing you the best of luck with your key.
Hi Melina,

My dad and his brother operated a small contracting business after my granddad retired in 1955, using very tired equipment...when a machine got so worn out it tested even their patience, I can remember my dad saying "its time to jack up the radiator cap and put another machine under it". Your situation reminds me of this; now that you have a key for a Model T Ford, you need the car to go on the end of it! :)

Regards, Jack Murray

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 9:39 am
by Steve Jelf
With experiences/opinions of them varying widely, I suspect reproduction keys may come from different sources, some OK and some not.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 1:15 pm
by John kuehn
I have to say that the repos work fine in my T’s. This stuff gets started when some guy has one that doesn’t work and decides that they are all bad and some people believe it when he passes it on. Not just keys but for anything else whether it’s T related or not. It takes all kinds to make the world go round I guess.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 4:30 pm
by Scott_Conger
AMEN to that, John

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:41 am
by MelinaC
yukonjack wrote:
Wed Oct 16, 2019 7:40 am
MelinaC wrote:
Tue Oct 15, 2019 5:50 pm
Ruxstel24 wrote:
Tue Oct 15, 2019 4:41 pm
Just for the record, a friend gave me a repop key and the straight groove is not centered and it no worky. Won’t even go in. :( It’s a diamond shaped key like pictured above.
I may try a dremel and widen the groove.
Ruxstel, sorry to hear that. Perhaps someone on the forum has one who would offer one to you :)
I'd offer you this one, but...I highly doubt it would work. Lol. If I remember correctly, the key was found 6" below ground...as you can see, it has definite signs of erosion. But I like it. Something cool for our collection of finds.

Wishing you the best of luck with your key.
Hi Melina,

My dad and his brother operated a small contracting business after my granddad retired in 1955, using very tired equipment...when a machine got so worn out it tested even their patience, I can remember my dad saying "its time to jack up the radiator cap and put another machine under it". Your situation reminds me of this; now that you have a key for a Model T Ford, you need the car to go on the end of it! :)

Regards, Jack Murray
Hi, Jack :D

A determined dad!
Haha! Right! We have the key, but no Model T to go with it. Maybe someday. Even if it needed to be rebuilt, I think it would be a great family project.

Re: Found Key!

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 10:39 am
by Ruxstel24
Melina, that key SHOULD be brass, you might be able to clean it up without wearing it down too much with some CLR and maybe a little polishing compound.

All I was saying about repop keys was, maybe take a known working key to match up before you buy one. I have a couple repops that work fine...