Key numbers?

[Arthurdaily]

Looking on ESM morris spares this morning I noticed they have loads of keys for sale with numbers like FA619, FA618 etc... now there are so many of them there that I can only imagine that all these keys are specific keys for cars... seems a bit odd... did morris only produce a limited number of keys or is it simply that there are LOADS of blanks?

Thanks

[mike.perry]

MRN, FA, FP, FS are the key blanks and the numbers are the pattern for the particular lock. A locksmith should be able to cut a key from the number, provided that he has the blank. A keycutter willl make a copy from an existing key.
I have a barrel and two keys for MRN 4, available to the person who can prove that they own a car with that lock no.

[Alex'n'Ane]

I have a barrel and two keys for MRN 4, available to the person who can prove that they own a car with that lock no.

I'm sure there could be a few possible owners.. I found Someone at the national who had exactly the same keys as myself, letters and numbers. Was a 5 year older traveller.

[chrisryder]

they don't seem to matter anyway.

I found out that i can enter, and start Sidney61's minor with my keys, despite the numbers being different

[Arthurdaily]

So, the numbered keys online fit particular locks - doesn't seem very safe! So, since I have no key for my back traveller door, does that mean there should be a number on it which would allow me to get a key cut for it?

[chrisryder]

if you can remove it, and clean up the square shaft, there may be a 3 digit number stamped into it. odds are that's the key number. most cars after the early 60's seem to have FS keys so if you can find a 3 digit number, it could be worth getting an FS--- and see if it fits.

failing that, ask people at your local branch to all try their keys in it and see which fits, then get a copy of their number.

or find somewhere with FS and FP key racks, and try each in turn until one fits!

And no, it's not very safe, that's why most people fit immobilisers and steering locks!

[MarkyB]

now there are so many of them

Production number is something like 1,368,291 they didn't make this many keys by a long chalk!
In the beginning there (40 or so years ago) were different series of keys, FS,FA etc, since then things have rounded off quite a bit.
Car security has only become an issue quite recently, back then people left their front doors unlocked!
It is nice to only need one key to unlock all the locks, but don't count on the locks as any kind of security nowadays!

[mike.perry]

The key numbers run from FA 501 - 625, FP 626 - 750, FR 751 - 825, FS 826 - 955
Unless anyone knows different

[chrisryder]

Interestingly i just had to move my sisters '57 minor (one with the key number stamped on the ignition barrel) and noticed that the number for the barrel, and the number for the ignition key are completely different!

and that's the key we've been using for 8 years since it came with the car!

i'd imagine you could probably unlock it with the handle of a teaspoon too...

[mike.perry]

For added security the key number was stamped on the face of the ignition barrel!
Both the keys and the barrels wear so it is quite possible that keys will be interchangeable. Also a good reason for getting keys from source and not having them cut from an old example