Yale and ERA Tardis Key Research (Info for the 1963-present keys)
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Terrasolo
Sr Member
Re: Yale and ERA Tardis Key Research (Info for the 2005-present keys)
Not sure how I missed this Pobbrett but yeah that is a pretty good match for that key. Interesting that it is the same on both sides.
In the mean time I have been doing some research on the classic era keys, mainly trying to get screen caps where possible for various reasons. One being that I wanted to see if Davison or Colin ever had good shots of their keys anywhere of any use to us. I know We saw Davison's at least twice with the most notable being in "Black Orchid". But what I found was that his key is not the standard Yale that we are used to. In fact it seems to look more in the style of the modern ERA key in that it is silver and has one rest rather than two.
Also of note is the thin short chain that will help set his key apart from the rest. Just need to find one of those now too :/ No way of telling what brand this key is though, but it does look like there is still writing or markings on the key face, not that the clarity is helpful.
Not sure how I missed this Pobbrett but yeah that is a pretty good match for that key. Interesting that it is the same on both sides.
In the mean time I have been doing some research on the classic era keys, mainly trying to get screen caps where possible for various reasons. One being that I wanted to see if Davison or Colin ever had good shots of their keys anywhere of any use to us. I know We saw Davison's at least twice with the most notable being in "Black Orchid". But what I found was that his key is not the standard Yale that we are used to. In fact it seems to look more in the style of the modern ERA key in that it is silver and has one rest rather than two.
Also of note is the thin short chain that will help set his key apart from the rest. Just need to find one of those now too :/ No way of telling what brand this key is though, but it does look like there is still writing or markings on the key face, not that the clarity is helpful.
Straker
Sr Member
Re: Yale and ERA Tardis Key Research (Info for the 2005-present keys)
Yeah, I have to say, I don't know how I missed that post either but that is an amazing find. Any idea where you got it from?
Very interesting. Good call on the single bumper on that. That shot you got definitely looks like it only has one. Funny, I always figured it was a double bumper like the classic key. Color is also interesting. I wonder what sorts of key brands were available in the 1980's that matched that. Too bad we can't get better looks at the stamp on the head but they just never really seemed to dwell on the more plain keys with close-ups, lol.
just looked through this thread and realized i have a similar key to the blink episode only difference being it has the same pattern both sides, but it has no branding on it at all
Yeah, I have to say, I don't know how I missed that post either but that is an amazing find. Any idea where you got it from?
Not sure how I missed this Pobbrett but yeah that is a pretty good match for that key. Interesting that it is the same on both sides.
In the mean time I have been doing some research on the classic era keys, mainly trying to get screen caps where possible for various reasons. One being that I wanted to see if Davison or Colin ever had good shots of their keys anywhere of any use to us. I know We saw Davison's at least twice with the most notable being in "Black Orchid". But what I found was that his key is not the standard Yale that we are used to. In fact it seems to look more in the style of the modern ERA key in that it is silver and has one rest rather than two.
Also of note is the thin short chain that will help set his key apart from the rest. Just need to find one of those now too :/ No way of telling what brand this key is though, but it does look like there is still writing or markings on the key face, not that the clarity is helpful.
Very interesting. Good call on the single bumper on that. That shot you got definitely looks like it only has one. Funny, I always figured it was a double bumper like the classic key. Color is also interesting. I wonder what sorts of key brands were available in the 1980's that matched that. Too bad we can't get better looks at the stamp on the head but they just never really seemed to dwell on the more plain keys with close-ups, lol.
Terrasolo
Sr Member
Re: Yale and ERA Tardis Key Research (Info for the 2005-present keys)
I had wondered if Yale ever made single bumper keys but then show wasn't exactly that keen on continuity or nostalgia so it could be anything. BUt I'm with you, it would be nice to find out what were common brands back then.
I had wondered if Yale ever made single bumper keys but then show wasn't exactly that keen on continuity or nostalgia so it could be anything. BUt I'm with you, it would be nice to find out what were common brands back then.
Straker
Sr Member
Re: Yale and ERA Tardis Key Research (Info for the 2005-present keys)
Well it looks like we got something new to research! Lol, maybe I should change the thread title to include 1963 to present Yale and ERA keys, lol.
Well it looks like we got something new to research! Lol, maybe I should change the thread title to include 1963 to present Yale and ERA keys, lol.
Straker
Sr Member
Re: Yale and ERA Tardis Key Research (Info for the 2005-present keys)
H-how do you change the thread title on this thing then? Do I have to ask a mod?
Anyway I did a little looking on ebay and I found something intriguing. 120 Vintage Master Yale Keys Steampunk | eBay Go to the picture and check the second row from the bottom all the way to the right. There's a silver tone Yale key with a single bumper. Dunno if it's size appropriate but at the very least that confirms that Yale made a single bumper key type at some point. Maybe there are vintage blanks we can find.
I think that might be a fine idea reallyThe hunt is on!
H-how do you change the thread title on this thing then? Do I have to ask a mod?
Anyway I did a little looking on ebay and I found something intriguing. 120 Vintage Master Yale Keys Steampunk | eBay Go to the picture and check the second row from the bottom all the way to the right. There's a silver tone Yale key with a single bumper. Dunno if it's size appropriate but at the very least that confirms that Yale made a single bumper key type at some point. Maybe there are vintage blanks we can find.
Straker
Sr Member
We also have to make sure it's an actual size and channel appropriate key but at the very least that will help. I found a few blanks that may offer possible alternatives to Yale with squarish logos that may be what they used. I'll keep digging and post what I find here, obviously, lol.
AHHHH! Ok that worked. Thread title is now changed. Just changed the 2005 to 1963. I think we're pretty much caught up on the modern keys anyhow...well for now anyway lol.
Terrasolo
Sr Member
I'd be happy with a key that looked the era (er, not ERA but era), which is odd to think that a key can be, as I doubt we'll get exact. But something to make it look believable in the collection as a key they might have used. Something to set it apart from the rest. And As Colin really didn't have a key that we saw on screen, from what I recall, the Yale blanks you found (that can be sanded for Smith) unsanded would work for me for his representation.
Terrasolo
Sr Member
Well, it seems that it really is a piece of string. These are shots from Four to Doomsday and while he pulls it from the console and tells Tegan it is a spare key it looks similar to Black Orchid. The key also looks brass here but that's due to the reflection of Peter's coat. In motion you can see silver. But it still has the one shoulder.
TimeyWhimyStuff
Well-Known Member
Just what I need.. another key to hunt for. :lol
Straker
Sr Member
PFFF! Puh-leeeze! You know you love the thrill of the hunt, lol.
Anyway it does indeed look like plain string. Odd really but whatever. I may use a fine chain anyway...OK I'll probably just use string, lol.
TimeyWhimyStuff
Well-Known Member
I do indeed enjoy the hunt. Found a lead on some single bumper YALEs, will post pics once I have them.
Terrasolo
Sr Member
Good news! Hopefully these will be a match and the hunt will have ended quickly... that would be different.
Terrasolo
Sr Member
So this key has been in my collection for about two months I'd say. A friend picked it up in Australia for me as a hopeful match for the Silca key when blanked. Unfortunately the head is too oval to be a proper stand in. It's not completely oval, honestly the difference is extremely minimal, but for my tastes I decided not to use it for the Silca stand in.
However, when I found the key in Black Orchid I figured it was a fair enough stand in for that since we can't really make out the details. So on my shelf it sat as a Davison TARDIS key. Today, after realizing yesterday that it was a string rather than a fine chain, I've added the string. I cut it to the length it looked in Black Orchid. The others were shorter but I like the length in that story.
This should be a nice display piece until we can find a proper one shouldered Yale to take it's place.
However, when I found the key in Black Orchid I figured it was a fair enough stand in for that since we can't really make out the details. So on my shelf it sat as a Davison TARDIS key. Today, after realizing yesterday that it was a string rather than a fine chain, I've added the string. I cut it to the length it looked in Black Orchid. The others were shorter but I like the length in that story.
This should be a nice display piece until we can find a proper one shouldered Yale to take it's place.
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