English: A Post Medieval cast copper alloy rotary key with recent repair, probably 1500-1600 AD. The key has several unusual features, the most prominent of which is the fact that the bit is not set at a ninety-degree angle to the shank, but projects from it along the same axis. The key has a small kidney-shaped bow with a D-shaped section and flat interior edge. The bow abuts the shank of the key directly; there are no shoulders. The solid shank is hexagonally-faceted but has been worn to a sub-oval section measuring 6.07mm in diameter. Halfway along the key shank the section changes from oval to square, and extends slightly outwards to a thickness of 6.73mm. The shank continues along for an almost equal distance to the oval-sectioned length, but has a large rectangular cleft running down the centre, which divides it into two. After a small distance these two rectangular-sectioned along sides have five folds to form the key bit: oppositely outwards at ninety degrees to the shank, then ninety degrees inwards to run parallel to the shank, then ninety degrees in towards each other, then ninety degrees to run parallel and lastly ninety degrees outwards. One original side of the key bit is intact, the other has been broken half way along the bit. At this point a replica section of the bit has been added to repair the key.

The key is similar to one excavated from Waltham Abbey, dated to the sixteenth century, which also has the bit along the same axis as the shank, and a deep cleft recessed into it (Goodall, 1980, ref. 585).

Dimensions: length (to the intact bit): 71.52mm; width: 22.59mm; thickness: 6.73mm; diameter: 6.07mm; weight: 18.82g.

Reference: Goodall, I. (1980) Ironwork in Medieval Britain: An Archaeological Study. PhD Thesis, Department of Archaeology, University College, Cardiff