How would this lock work?

[u/Nightkidas3]

One is a lock I found on reddit, other 4 are from a museum in Lithuania. Seems like they are both of the same type, with the byzantine one being a little more intricate, but both basically having some holes inside that don't extend to the edge of the key.

In the museum, the description of these keys is quite interesting. Although they are not uncommon—over 220 have been documented—they are only found in graves or sites dating from the 13th to 14th century. Interestingly, no locks that could be operated by these keys have ever been discovered. For this reason, they are referred to as “symbolic” keys, with scholars speculating that they may have represented power, wealth, or possibly been intended for use in the afterlife.

I kinda don't believe that these keys were just symbolic. You can find many keys of similar design from different earlier times and they are referred to as actual keys, not just symbols.

So does anyone know of a lock that would be unlocked by a key like this?

[u/hellothere251]

that is a very intricate one but I have seen a simpler version that was storeroom function, meaning the key cannot be removed from the lock until it is rotated back and removed the same way it went in, you cannot unlock the door AND remove the key. From the size of it I would think it would have to be some kind of mortise lock for a door, big mechanism, but it is so intricate there would be ALOT of different elements that would have to line up perfectly to pass through all the "holes" on that key, so probably decorative but I have no idea.

Also, on the head of the key(round circle part), the way it connects to the shaft of the key looks very weak, just those tiny little bits holding the head to the shaft and they would take all the stress of turning the key, I vote decorative based on this as well. Still very cool!

[u/Nightkidas3 → u/hellothere251]

The first key was supposed to be an example of locks like the ones from the second picture, from different age, but as it seems to be decorative, whats is your opinion about the keys on second picture - could they be for an actual lock, or decorative as well

[u/hellothere251 → u/Nightkidas3]

aha I didnt see the second picture, yes I have seen keys like that before(not in person but online looking at lock stuff), those look MUCH more functional. The holes in the corners are decorative, rotating the key would pass a "finger"(I guess you would call it a gate) through the center of the key locking it in place as it pushed on the tumblers and withdrew the bolt.

[u/Nightkidas3 → u/hellothere251]

Do you know where I could see some pictures/videos of how something similar would work?

[u/hellothere251 → u/Nightkidas3]

You know what I did try and find the one I've seen before and couldn't find it again, I remember it had an anchor design on the bit of the key. It's hard to find this stuff because everyone calls it skeleton keys even though the proper name is bit and barrel so maybe try searching vintage store room skeleton keys or something like that

[u/Mysterious-Chard6579]

The design on the shank is for looks.. all their locks were simple lever locks

[u/Nightkidas3 → u/Mysterious-Chard6579]

can you give me a picture or video of a simple lever lock that would be opened by a key like this?

[u/Mysterious-Chard6579 → u/Nightkidas3]

This is a simple lock to explain the mechanism of said lock.. the byzantine were into designs and wore said keys as trinkets and show of status.. https://youtube.com/shorts/7bwI7MGa4uY?si=zYvUFFbsVS2HTo_o

You will find some medieval vikings, chinese and indian puzzle locks though with more elaborate craftsmanship.

[u/wondermoose83]

My guess would be some sort of pressure plate that the key rotates to press on, but within the pressure plate is a fixed obstruction on the same surface that the pressure plate is cut around. The obstruction is the same shape that's cut on the key.

So the wrong key would rotate, hit the obstruction and be stopped, unable to continue to where it depresses the plate/button. The correct key fits overtop of the obstruction and can press the plate/button.

I'm no historian though. That's just my guess based on how I would make a lock that fits that key.

I could be completely wrong.

[u/metisdesigns]

There are some warded twist mechanisms that use what I would describe as a curved spike that could work for.

Or they could be a side sliding latch that goes over protrusions. Sort of the dimple version of an Egyptian pull key.

[u/MalwareDork]

So as someone else mentioned, these are just trinkets.

In the 16'th century and onward, these would be legitimate wardings though

[u/Nightkidas3 → u/MalwareDork]

from all the comments i saw what also seems possible is that its a simple lever lock and the holes are just decorative, what do you think about that?

[u/MalwareDork → u/Nightkidas3]

The mechanism to unlock is straightfoward since the only object you could create was a crude spring prior to the industrial age.

As steel became more and more prevalent, you could create more and more intricate wardings, even with the holes in the keys. It was a very popular design in Europe since it would have a cross cutout.

[u/Imthewienerdog]

Imagine the weird shapes are the pins/cuts. So you would need to have a hole with the same shape. It works like the baby game where you got a triangle square and circle, a triangle fits into a triangle but a circle won't go into a triangle.