kennedy 520; replacing key?

[lksdrinker]

I've always loved the old Kennedy 520 my father has and have only just begun to appreciate these old boxes.

I can get my hands on this one below that looks to be in fairly decent condition minus the drawer felt. Can anyone guess an age on this thing?

I'm negotiating on the price now and am curious as to what the going rate on these might be? The brief research I've done shows prices ranging from hundreds of dollars to about twenty bucks.

The seller of this particular one has no key. What are my options for getting a key that will work with this lock and what kind of cost do you think I'm looking at?

What about the felt? I've seen some conflicting ideas on what material to use in an attempt to replace whats there currently.


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[jeffmoss26]

A locksmith should be able to fit a key to that lock.

 

[lksdrinker]

A locksmith should be able to fit a key to that lock.

What could I expect to pay for that? Just a ballpark estimate.

 

[jakemac]

$10-$20 depending on which way the wind is blowing.

 

[jeffmoss26]

That sounds about right. It's a flat steel key.

 

[lksdrinker]

sounds fair enough. Thanks!

 

[beatcad]

I'm negotiating on the price now and am curious as to what the going rate on these might be? The brief research I've done shows prices ranging from hundreds of dollars to about twenty bucks. /QUOTE]

hundreds? maybe brand new, never had a scratch or scuff or a tool ever set in it(perfect felt) and a couple 100 dollar bills in the top till

in the real world(not egay) a decent 20" kennedy like that one should be able to be bought in the 50 to 100 dollar range.
100 in great shape. 50 if well used.
yes I know that's a big window, but not as big a window from 20 clams to hundreds.

 

[lksdrinker]

I'm negotiating on the price now and am curious as to what the going rate on these might be? The brief research I've done shows prices ranging from hundreds of dollars to about twenty bucks. /QUOTE]

hundreds? maybe brand new, never had a scratch or scuff or a tool ever set in it(perfect felt) and a couple 100 dollar bills in the top till

in the real world(not egay) a decent 20" kennedy like that one should be able to be bought in the 50 to 100 dollar range.
100 in great shape. 50 if well used.
yes I know that's a big window, but not as big a window from 20 clams to hundreds.

Good to know. The asking price is pretty reasonable then. I'll post again after/if the deal is completed as I'm looking at this and a few other boxes from the same seller.

 

[WWIIjeep]

It's a flat steel key.

Not quite. It's a grooved steel key. A plain flat key won't work.

There are two wards in the keyway, with the consequent grooves required in the key blank, one groove on each side of the key blank.

The following photo shows both sides of a typical '40s to '60s vintage Excelsior key used on Kennedy cases:

There should be a number stamped on the front of the lock, most likely on the latch lever. If there's a number, a replacement key can be ordered by most locksmiths. Kennedy may even still supply replacement keys. Typical cost for OEM replacement keys of that type run $15 to $25.

 

[jeffmoss26]

My bad. Thanks for the info!

 

[Packard V8]

A locksmith should be able to fit a key to that lock.

Jeffster,unless one's brother-in-law is a locksmith and owes one money, it ain't likely to be cost effective. Last time I tried that, the locksmith just laughed and said, "Put down $25 and I'll start trying keys. If I haven't found a blank match in fifteen minutes, put down another $25."

A replacement lock and two keys from Kennedy will also cost more than you should be paying for the box.

As to replacing the felt - the best deal I've found is to go into the back room of a billiard supply place and ask them for old felt when they recover a table. I've gotten some which looked new and was far better quality than what Kennedy used.

Make a folded cardboard pattern for each size drawer. It will be a huge PITA and you'll think twice before doing it again.

jack vines