Record ID: BERK-C25005
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: West Berkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Complete Copper Alloy Barrel Tap Key or Winding Key. The key has a wingnut terminal on a threaded stem. The stem is short and cylindrical and ends with a triangular terminal with a small flange on one side. There is a small, triangular hole in the end of the terminal. On the wings of the nut are the letters LUC and KE, spelling LUCKE.
Created on: Thursday 21st September 2023
Last updated: Monday 2nd October 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-1758E2
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete, cast, copper-alloy, pelta-shaped object of probable Post-Medieval to Modern date (c. AD 1700-1900). It is probably the handle of a barrel tap. The upper edge of the object is crescent shaped, or semi-circular. The concave lower edge is bevelled and extends outwards in the centre to form a point, at which there is a worn, straight edged break. This projects further than the corners of the crescent shape and is probably where the key would have attached to the tap.  The object is mostly green-brown in colour and has a fairly smooth pat…
Created on: Monday 27th March 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 30th May 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: IOW-8F8597
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Isle of Wight
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete Post Medieval cast copper alloy tap key, c.AD 1550-1800. Solid cast T-shaped handle bifurcated from central point, faceted arms with knopped terminals, a sub-octagonal shank with a moulded line around circumference, and a recent break beneath.
Created on: Tuesday 31st January 2023
Last updated: Monday 31st July 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Isle of Wight', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: CORN-EC0AF1
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper-alloy tap key of probable post medieval date (c.1550-1800). It was possibly used to unlock the tap of a barrel containing beer or cider. It features a solid cast T-shaped handle bifurcated from central point. Both the handle and shaft are circular in cross section. Both sides of the bottom edge of the handle are bi-concave. The join on both sides is rounded rather than square. It is patinated black-brown with some patches of green.  The ends of the terminals are lighter brown in colour. Measurements: Length, 21.10mm; Width, 38.88mm; Thickn…
Created on: Thursday 6th October 2022
Last updated: Monday 24th October 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: HAMP-9E9F4D
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Wiltshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete post medieval (c.1550-1800) copper alloy tap key. Solid cast T-shaped handle bifurcated from central point, faceted arms with knopped terminals, a sub-octagonal shank with a moulded line around circumference, and a recent break beneath. 
Created on: Wednesday 15th June 2022
Last updated: Thursday 28th July 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LIN-484087
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Nottinghamshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Possible cast copper alloy tap key handle, post-medieval in date. The flat, solid, oval-shaped handle of the key features two circular holes, probably used for attachment. There is a cylindrical shaft leading from the mid part broken off at 11mm. Weight 7.41g, width 29.12, length 28.76mm
Created on: Tuesday 6th July 2021
Last updated: Wednesday 21st July 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: PUBLIC-D23005
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A post-medieval, cast copper-alloy barrel tap key. Description: The key has a sub-oval bow with a double-oval-shaped cut-out inside. This sits above a moulded collar leading to a straight, circular cross-sectioned shaft terminating in an expanded, hollow section. This section is an equilateral triangle in shape with an integral, straight vertical projection up the centre of one face. Measurements: Length 55.21mm: Width of bow 34.55mm: Length of hollow terminal 12.50mm: Diameter of shaft 6.78mm: Weight 26.07g. Discussion: Keys such as this were used as a security measure…
Created on: Monday 19th April 2021
Last updated: Wednesday 21st April 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'South Somercotes', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: WAW-A1CBB7
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Worcestershire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper alloy tap key dating to the Post Medieval to Modern period (c. AD 1700-1900). The object has a cylindrical stem that tapers slightly towards an oval-shaped bow, with two circular countersunk apertures with bevelled internal edges. At the opposite end of the stem is the bit, which is D -shaped in section. Along one long edge of the bit is a rib, which would have formed part of the locking mechanism. There is hole just above the stem, off-centre at the base of the bow on one side but not the other. The object has a light green patina. Comparable examples recorded…
Created on: Tuesday 23rd March 2021
Last updated: Monday 21st June 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMGW-0D0CE1
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Powys
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper alloy barrel tap key of Post Medieval date, likely 19th century. The key has an oval handle with two circular perforations, an oval sectioned stem that tapers towards the handle, and a three lobed bit with a rectangular guide bar and a triangular hole. Such keys would be used to restrict the use of a barrel to only those with a suitable key. PUBLIC-C5C166 is a close comparison already recorded on this database.
Created on: Tuesday 16th March 2021
Last updated: Friday 18th March 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DYFED-D29577
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Carmarthenshire
Workflow stage: Published
Complete Copper Alloy Barrel Key or Winding Key. The key has an oval shaped handle, which is bisected by a cylindrical stem. The terminal at the end of the stem has a rectangular shaped flange with a circular hole. Exact date is unknown but thought to be post medieval. A similar object on the PAS Database is PUBLIC-8F144C The object weighs 12.7 and is 60.19mm in length.
Created on: Monday 2nd March 2020
Last updated: Wednesday 30th March 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Abergwili', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DYFED-EBF251
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Carmarthenshire
Workflow stage: Published
Complete Copper Alloy Barrel Tap Key or Winding Key. The key has a hammer-shaped flat sided handle with a drilled hole in its centre. The stem is short and cylindrical and ends with a sub rectangular terminal with a small flange on one side. There is a small hole in the end of the terminal. Exact date is unknown but it is thought to be post-medieval. A similar record on the PAS Database is NLM-64BE7B The object weighs 23.0g and is 46.51mm in length.
Created on: Friday 15th November 2019
Last updated: Wednesday 30th March 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Abergwili', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: PUBLIC-B3D91B
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Kent
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper-alloy possible handle or tap of post-medieval date (c.1600-1800) Description: The object is cast in heavy copper-alloy with zoomorphic shape suggesting a horse or bird and has additional embossed decoration of a slightly leaf or plant-like shape. The head and front leg of the creature forms the handle and from the back of the body there is a broken cylindrical screw fixture with a crude internal screw thread 9.09mm thick with an internal diameter of 7.79mm. The head has a thinning to a point at the top edge and a curving shape, which suggests a beak. Or …
Created on: Wednesday 25th September 2019
Last updated: Monday 6th September 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NLM-D439EA
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Copper alloy barrel tap key. Cast key with a rectangular bow with engrailed corners and a central oval countersunk cut-out, separated from a short round section stem by a rounded collared moulding, and with a square section bit with a single projecting ridge and a drilled hole in its end. This appears to be an individualistically formed version of what was to become, in a slightly later period, an artefact type of simpler and more standardised form. Suggested date: Post-Medieval, 1650-1750 Length: 47.7mm, Height: 39.2mm, Thickness: 7.3mm, Weight: 18.78gms
Created on: Wednesday 20th February 2019
Last updated: Wednesday 20th February 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'near Market Rasen', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-C3D605
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Copper alloy probable tap key. Cast T-shaped object comprising a slightly curved and collared handle with rounded ends and a rounded stem appearing as if made up of two misaligned halves whose union produces opposed stepped edges, and also with a longitudinal rectangular-section rib passing down the upper part of its extent. The end of the stem is solid, stepped and pointed. This appears to be an unusual form of barrel tap key. Suggested date: Post-Medieval, 1700-1900 Length: 63.1mm, Width (handle): 35.8mm, Diameter (stem, towards end): 6.3mm, Weight: 25.91gms
Created on: Thursday 7th February 2019
Last updated: Friday 8th February 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Corringham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-6B8DAE
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Copper alloy barrel tap key. A key made of two parts; a ball-ended handle with a cylindrical mid-part, and a cylindrical socket with rectangular aperture, diminishing in its diameter towards its union with the handle, into which its rectangular end passed to fit snuggly with its end flush with the top of the handle. The finder kindly suggests a function as a stop tap, though the construction in two parts may point to a slightly earlier date than this may imply. Suggested date: Post-Medieval, 1750-1850. Length: 52.2mm, Width: 51.8mm, Diameter (maximum): 17.1mm, Weight: 88.10gms
Created on: Wednesday 28th February 2018
Last updated: Wednesday 28th February 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wharton', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-08B9E3
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: North Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Copper alloy barrel tap key. Cast key with a round section shank and a square section bit with hollow end. A handle comprises paired wings with a countersunk hole between them. Suggested date: Post-Medieval, 1850-1900. Length: 44.6mm, Width: 34.4mm, Thickness (stem): 6.6mm, Weight: 14.93gms
Created on: Wednesday 25th October 2017
Last updated: Wednesday 25th October 2017
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Low Burnham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NARC-BC2B5E
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy cylindrical barrel tap key cap of Modern date (AD 1700-1900). The fitting is a thick tapering cylinder, the top of the fitting has a sub-ovate shaped opening for a specially shaped key. The object would have formed part of a barrel tap, fitting onto the tap mechanism with a hole for a specially shaped key to fit into the top and turn a valve to allow liquid to flow from the barrel. The metal is a mid-green in colour with a pitted and corroded patina. Similar examples can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database: LVPL-527522 and LVPL-C3FFE4 Leng…
Created on: Friday 17th March 2017
Last updated: Friday 17th March 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SUR-57C713
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Windsor and Maidenhead
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Post Medieval copper-alloy key from a barrel tap. The key has a short shank and a square socket. The tap key handle is in the form of two facing dolphins which appear to be clasping the shank. A date range in the period c.1550-1650 seems reasonable.
Created on: Sunday 11th September 2016
Last updated: Tuesday 25th October 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-31D035
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast tin alloy valve from a barrel or cistern tap key, cylindrical in shape, and hollow, with two different sized circular apertures on opposing sides of the cylinder. The cylinder is capped with an everted circular disc, 23 mm in diameter, which tapers towards a cone-shaped finial, 11 mm in diameter, with a small square broken base, 3 mm wide, at its apex. The valve is part of the stop-cock and may have had an ornamental finial in the form of a cockerel, or other figure, which was turned as a key. There is a raised linear casting seam that crosses the diameter of the circular disc be…
Created on: Tuesday 7th October 2014
Last updated: Saturday 18th October 2014
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DEV-03BC84
Object type: TAP KEY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Devon
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Post Medieval barrel tap key, or possibly a clock winding key. The openwork bow is oval in plan. The shank is short, and at the end is a small rectangular projection. The end of the shank is hollow and circular in shape.
Created on: Tuesday 30th April 2013
Last updated: Tuesday 13th December 2016
Spatial data recorded.