Bidspirit auction | Antique Ruechle & Boldt Brass

Antique Ruechle & Boldt Brass Railroad Key for OC & ARR S & CO - An antique cast brass barrel key manufactured by Ruechle & Boldt of Newark, New Jersey. The key features a circular bow and a hollow-tip barrel, terminating in a single-bitted flag with a stepped profile. One side of the bow is stamped with the maker's mark RUECHLE & BOLDT above the location NEWARK N.J. The opposite side is stamped in a circular arrangement around the bow with OC & ARR S & CO, identifying it as a piece of equipment for a transportation firm, likely a railroad and steamship company. The key is made of solid cast brass and retains an unpolished surface with deep natural oxidation in the recessed stamped characters. This type of barrel key was commonly used for railroad car locks or specialized industrial cabinets during the late 19th to early 20th century. The key is in good antique condition with a dark, aged brass patina. There are minor surface abrasions and small indentations consistent with age and historical field use. The stamped lettering remains clear and legible. The structure of the key is solid with no cracks or significant deformations.