Ever since I lost the key to my grandmother's secretary, I've been on the hunt for any old skeleton key that will unlock it. A locksmith could open it, but I'm wrapped up in the romantic idea that I'll find an old key that magically fits the hutch. This hunt has led to a growing love of skeleton keys, from antiques to decorative porcelain keys like the ones shown above...
i love skeleton keys too and my husband got some for me from a seller on etsy. there are many many for sale there:
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=skeleton key
also if you have an architectural salvage place in your area you can check there to see if they have any.
view reesemcg's profile
When my husband and I needed a skeleton key for a closet in a local amateur theater building, we went to our local hardware store. They carried two styles and one fit. Not very romantic, but possible....
view LauraE's profile
Last year I found a Chicago architectural salvage store with a great website (with tons of their inventory) that had a huge amount of skeleton keys. (The photo online seemed to show a bathtub-sized container full of them.) I'm so sorry that I can't remember the store name, but you should definitely start calling salvage stores.
view AmberM's profile
Thanks for the tips, everyone!
view sarah c's profile
I bought an antique desk with a lock but no key. Took the lock out of the lid, brought it to an locksmith and got a key for about $3. (They had a whole ring of possibilities). Apparently most desk keys came standard. (who knew?) Later on, I tried to get another key, but they no longer stocked them. Found the exact same key from Rockler hardware (rockler.com) for about the same price. Good luck!
view oaklandtom's profile