Sewing Machine Cabinet / Breadbox / Bentwood Key ~ Triangle Tip ~ Singer & Other

Description

Important note:
Sometimes it’s easier to explain something with pictures instead of words. With that in mind we have provided two photos of things that are not included in this listing. Nothing shown in photos two and three is included.
Like many Singer parts, this little guy had more than one job. It turned the locks on Singer sewing machine cabinet drawers and antique “breadbox” sewing machine covers (photo two), and it also fit the locks of “bentwood” carrying cases (photo three).
Please note that this key will not fit every sewing cabinet drawer, breadbox, or bentwood case that Singer made. Some came with a key that had a square tip, others had a key like this one with a triangular tip, and newer ones had a flat key. Fortunately, it’s easy to figure out which one you need. Use a flashlight to look into the spot where the key goes. If the lock inside has a square or triangular opening, or a narrow slot, you need a key shaped the same way. The styles overlapped so there isn’t a specific date I can give you, but generally speaking Singer used a flat key from the mid-1920s until the 1950s, and triangular or square ones before that.
Singer had many imitators in those days, so this triangle-tip key may also fit perfectly into locks on cabinets, cases, and breadboxes made by other manufacturers. First make sure that your lock requires a triangular key, then measure the lock to make sure this key will fit. Use a small flat screwdriver to measure. Insert the screwdriver into the lock, making sure it touches one point of the triangle and the middle of the opposite flat side. Use a pencil to draw a line across the blade of the screwdriver right at the point where it enters the lock, then measure the width of the screwdriver blade at that line. Our key has a width at its tip of one-eighth of an inch (photos five and six), and is slightly wider at the rear of its tapered tip (easiest to see in photos seven and eight. If the measurement you made of your lock falls between those two numbers, our key will work perfectly in your bentwood case, cabinet or breadbox, regardless of who manufactured it.
My husband and I have owned over 1000 antique and vintage Singer sewing machines and know quite a bit about them, so please ask if you have questions! We are happy to help you.
We invite you to take a look at our other eBay listings. We are selling many interesting and useful things.
All of our goods are unconditionally guaranteed. If you are not completely satisfied with this item when it arrives at your home, send it back and your money will be cheerfully refunded.
Thank you for looking in.
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