Melted metal object - original use?

[Lisa in California]

Hi Erato.  That’s an interesting suggestion.  While the object is too heavy to be one skeleton key, it certainly could be a few keys melted together.  Looking at antique skeleton key images online, some are identical in colour and “texture” to my object.

Thank you for your suggestion.  It’s certainly something to think about and much better than my option of jewellery.   

[Erato]

I was thinking it might be a big, heavy key for, say, a stable or a warehouse or something like that.

[Lisa in California]

I’ve led a sheltered life - I’ve never seen a large key before.    Looking online, there are images for church keys, gas keys, large skeleton keys, etc.  Our object certainly could be just one key.

The photo doesn’t adequately show the object.  It is mostly flat on one side except for the top part where it is still flat but appears to have been twisted down a wee bit.  The bottom half is of course more solid, wider and it is “thicker” than the top half.

It may not even be a family item. Perhaps it was found in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park where one ancestor worked or found by another relative who was a motorman in San Francisco. Maybe originally the item had a note with it or maybe everyone in the extended families knew where it came from so no note was needed.

Thank you again for your advice, Erato.  It is very helpful.

[Erato]

It could be flattened because it was lying on a flat surface when it melted.

[Lisa in California]

Yes, we thought the same thing.  It isn’t totally flat and solid on the bottom, but flat enough that it must have been on a flat surface.  Perhaps it was picked up before it was totally cool; it was on top of something that allowed the uppermost “arm” to bend down; or, someone tried to move/bend the top and bent the upper part before it hardened.

[Erato]

You might want to contact these folks:

https://sfmuseum.org/1906/06.html

"In response to repeated requests through our website we are setting out to compile a new and more accurate account of those affected by the 1906 earthquake. We want information on everyone who was here at the time, both survivors and those who perished. Click on the 1906 Earthquake Great Register to find out how to submit your information."

If you click on the Great Register, there is link to contact staff about artifacts.

My grandmother's cousin was there and survived the quake.  I know this from a newspaper article that shellyesq found for me years ago.  Maybe I will submit her data to the museum.

[Lisa in California]

Oh wow, thank you for mentioning the site!  I’ve visited the site in the past but didn’t know anything about their quest.

I’m sure they would be interested in your family, especially if you know a bit about her.

I am going to try to find the coin I mentioned earlier.  I would like to see the mint date and read the note again.

Thank you for recommending the site.  I wonder if they might even have suggestions about my object. 

[maddys52]

Hope this works - here's the photos of the object, Lisa can explain more about the views if necessary

[Mike in Cumbria]

Contents of a cutlery drawer?