QE2 cabin keys and locks

[bobso]

All Right--who FORGOT TO HAND IN THEIR KEY-- -- -- --


Note: eBay larger photo link no longer active

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

All Right--who FORGOT TO HAND IN THEIR KEY-- -- -- --

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QUEEN-ELIZABETH-2-STATEROOM-KEY-TAG-2092-/350481561791?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519a5438bf

Definitely not me! I never saw a key like that, during the final decade of QE2's service. Would be interesting to know which era this key belonged to...

P.S. Would the QE2 really ever have had "rooms" rather than cabins or staterooms?

[bobso]

In reply to Isabelle--maybe some crew member can answer that question---

[Louis De Sousa]

Maybe i am wrong but that key does not belong to the QE2, i cant see a key ring without the Cunard logo.I have no knowleadge about such a key ring.Maybe Micheal can help.

[Michael Gallagher]

I would have thought the key was a QE2 one. The lion rampant has only been widely used by Cunard in the last 20 or so years after having taken a long break. The lion was first used in the 1870s and then disappeared with the formation of Cunard White Star in 1934 and then rarely used  again until the 1980s / 1990s.

In 1997 / 1998 the lion was dropped in favour of a blue rectangle - I kid you not.

And then Carnival brought the lion back in 1999 complete with the St Edward Crown and the leaves which is the logo you see today.

[Rod]

I do not recognize the key tag. However, the key appears to be the original keys to the pax cabins. What most pax did not know that in ...probably the early days, say up until the mid 70's that 1 pax key would fit many cabins in the area of their cabin. Mid 70's they went to the Trioving system where each cabin had its own key. With the system shown...file 2 parts off and it becamea master key for the WHOLE ship.

[Scott Ebersold]

In 1997 / 1998 the lion was dropped in favour of a blue rectangle - I kid you not.

Totally off topic, I know, but the blue rectangle?  What did this look like?

[Michael Gallagher]

Can you believe how naff this was...

Interesting though in the Cunard name lettering. This squarish red block lettering has been used since 1964 so it must make it one of the longest-lived global logos?

[Scott Ebersold]

Can you believe how naff this was...

Interesting though in the Cunard name lettering. This squarish red block lettering has been used since 1964 so it must make it one of the longest-lived global logos?

If I knew what "naff" meant I would tend to agree!  LOL.   
...YES, I do remember this now!  Thanks, Michael.

[cunardqueen]

The scan below is the only one l have of QE2 cabin key (fobs)
Given the key fob and key for the one on ebay the key is obviously pre the yale locks


So would this mean that its a very early key? and when were the yale locks actually fitted.

Note: Image not available. 

I always felt quite guilty about removing the actully key fob, However the key was always left behind.
Given that its a yale key for the cabins, you only need one master (GMK) key to open these locks. for what its worth to actually get a mater key copied is pretty difficult, and expensive.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Here is another early cabin key, from an ebay sale already closed (scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page) :

Link not active

Myles, your key fobs look much more stylish! I also have a key fob like the one on the right -- it broke and fell of my key while I was on board and was then replaced by the Purser's Office. A nice one, and I still have it somewhere, unrepaired -- but sadly, it does not say QE2...

[Rod]

Those are the ones that i recognize.....Please people put dates on when you got your souvenirs!.
All new keys were made on board. By the Carpenters, go figure, its metal, get the "wood butchers" to do it! Cabin staff had spare to every cabin in their Key cupboard. Tags were also numbered on board.

[Bob C.]

I never saw a key like that, during the final decade of QE2's service. Would be interesting to know which era this key belonged to...

Here's a key from 1977 which had not changed since 1969.

[bobso]

 Here is a photo of a QE2 Keyring that i bought sometime ago--was it an actual keyring issued to the crew?--or is it simply a "souvenier" made by an unknown company?

[Rod]

Souvenir Bobso!