Lilly keys

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

look at yossies collection:

http://www.blacksteel.com/hcs/index.cgi ... t=2&mode=1

he has same type key for both the lilly bar irons & a set of leg irons,they don't look to be the same key used for both pic , but are very similar to one another, i believe i have seen this same type key on other lilly's over the years

LK D~D

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

That the key pictured on Yossie's page is not an original.

I had a very old Lilly key once that had a flat bar handle that pivoted like a jack knife. I will see if I still have pics of it.

IMHO, I doubt very much the Lilly irons had one uniform or regulation key.

As the cuffs are irons were all hand forged, and I am pretty certain not at one single factory or dedicated assembly plant, I think each assembling blacksmith likely made his own version of a working key.

i.e. Different makers, different forges, same basic form, but with small variations.

Steve Santini

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

Hi guys, the one at Yossies site is not the original and the jack knife style is an escape artists reach key. I will put up the photo I have in a few days but I dont want to taint the waters with an image yet.
Its interesting that there are many (?) lilly irons of different styles and manufacture but nothing that is seen to be an authentic style key.
Ian

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

DID U FIND THE PICTURE YET?

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

Just aquired a set of lilly leg irons & would be interested in seeing the key u thought might be a standerd, also what date were lilly's made understand they were used to hold and hang the Lincion consperitors that would put them being used 1864-5, but do u or anyone know if they were made pre civil war or during, also if they were made by serveral differant blacksmiths, do u think a drawing patern was made and sent out by lilly to those smiths. The set i got is in great shape, the smith who made them was a MASTER craftsman in my mind

LK D~D

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

Hi LK, I am far from an expert on Lilly irons. Others could answer this question better than I and I do ask for their input here.
Some of the Lilly irons I have seen in photos are beautiful examples of the blacksmiths art. They are as old as you say but I dont know how early they were made and when they stopped being made in this configuration.
The photo of the key given to me is a solid cast key which fits the lilly cuffs and leg irons without modification but something tells me it is not right. It might be a key for something else and appears to have the letter H as part of the key head design.

Ian

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

YES i see what u mean, looks to me like a clock key ,would have to be a grandfather clock to be of that size i would think ! without seeing other examples of the leg irons it's hard to visuallize how differant smiths could have developed the same restrant's locking devise without some sort of instructions or possiablly the screw locks were provided along with demendsions (sort of do it yourself kit) if u know what i mean! mine do have the lead filled backing on the female thread section,however i can't tell if the threads are within an insert or if thay are just cut threads within the locking housing and the lead put there to prevent dirt ,ect. from entering,as to the male thread i still haven't figured out how it's keep in, it wasn't threaded or revirse threaded into the housing like i thought it would be it just floats within,mine has 3 small chain links with 2 slightly larger links on each end like on a set of towers those then connect to the swivels/hinge, weight 3+ lbs the post office weighed the package at 4.05 and the package was only cardboard and paper!

If anyone else has any LILLY HISTORY please post,thanks

LK D~D

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

Ian--The type of key you show is a gas key used to open or close a gas valve for fireplaces, stoves, etc. There are many sizes and makers with various identifications. Many could fit the Lilly irons and be used as a key.

The key that came with my Lilly is solid brass, heavy, no markings and very nicely made. The seller claimed it was an original key, but I doubt it. I have only seen one other key like this many years ago and wish I had purchased it.

Ron

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

Ian,

I just received a set of Lilly cuffs and this is the key that came with them. I'm no expert, but could this be an original key?

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

Thats the type i would think it should look like ,my thought were that it would have to be T handled so u could torque them tight,and with the shaft being long so it would be easyer to do so!

LK D~D

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

Hi, another interesting key, thanks for the picture. In my mine, a gaoler would carry handcuff and cell keys on his person, or on a ring. Therefore the key would have to a hole or ring type head on it to have it attached to a key ring.

All other T type handles I see as tools, for cam locks, budget lock, lathe chuck tools, there is a huge list.

I guess it still a very open subject. (are there any keys with matching marking to siut those marks on the cuff?)

Ian

Hi, recently I was sent a photo of a key reportedly being an original lilly iron key. I was wondering if anyone had any documentation to establish what the authentic key looks like or any photos.

thanks

Ian

Ian,

Having had some experience in prisons (working, not as a resident) I can report that the guards carry keys, but to lock and unlock cell or separation doors. Restraints are used for transporting prisoners. Given the size of Lilly cuffs I would think they were used for that same purpose - transporting prisoners to court or the gallows, as in the case of Lincoln's assassin. I'm not saying that it's an original, but for that use I could envision a key like the one I have being used. It would be very interesting to know for sure.

Joe G.