Hi all

Due to the topic about the Kayser Nr 5 (Hamburg 8) I would like to get
some information about the Kayser Nr 6 with rotating dust cover.

Most Kayser Nr 6 cuffs are the version with a tin key and there is a left handed
and a right handed key version of that cuff. According to the cuffs I've seen, the left
handed version is the rarest.


There is also a much rarer version of Kayser Nr 6 with brass dust covers
which takes another type of key.

On my set, both bows and the back sides of the keys are marked with the letter "C".
My conclusion is that they were manufactured with more key patterns. Does anyone have
a set marked different?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Hi Lars,

In reference to your question about the Kayser No. 5, it is my contention that there are actually 4 different keys. The possibility exists that there might actually be 6 keyway variations. I am not able to view my cuffs right now but I believe I have several examples of these.
Your photo illustrates the left and right hand keys in 2 dimensions but fails to include the 3rd dimension.
The blades of the key are curved...one is curved forward and the other, up. I believe I have a cuff with the key stamped out perfectly straight.
Therefore, on a right handed key, there is at least 2 or 3 ways the key can be varied....up, down, and possibly straight. (Concave, Convex, and maybe straight, if you will) The same can be said for the left handed key as well.
To those that are not familiar with this cuff, as far as I know, all of these aluminum cuffs are manufactured exactly the same way, but the factory adds a thin steel ward plate just below and inside the outer keyhole. This ward plate has the curved and possibly straight keyway pattern to prevent any other shaped key from entering the keyhole.
L

I forgot to mention that in the above picture you can barely see the keyway pattern ward plate just inside the keyhole.
The outer keyhole has the wide triangular shape to it so it can accomodate the variable shaped keys that can enter it.
L

Great pictures Lars, I do have the rare set with as you say 'dust covers' although I prefer to think of them as a one pin tumbler lock. Mine are marked 'A' on both swinging bows and also on the key.
However, looking at your photo I think the keys are identical.
I also have both left and right hand models - can we clarify which is which. May be easier for you to label the keys you have posted - but I assume if you look at the cuffs and the curve goes left it is left?
Chris Gower

Old-time American "escape dealer", Joseph Trudell - advertised these for sale as the:

Kayser "SENTRY" model

...and noted that the cuffs & their keys were stamped with either: "A", "B", or "C".

Whether there were more than 3 "keyings", I don't know.

Hi all,

Thanks for the information about the Kayser cuffs.

Chris, it would be interesting to se a picture of the
"A" stamped key to compare the pattern to the key above.
It would be very strange if the key pattern is identical,
then why have different stampings?

Lars