Adding To Your Impression...

[St. George]

Most folks in NCOWS are pretty diligent about the accuracy of their Impression - and I suspect that many harbor the thought of joining the 'Originals' someplace down the trail.

The leather and weaponry are pretty simple - as is the clothing and the boots and hats - much has been written about it all, and if you go through the 'back pages' of this forum and the 'Historical Society' forum - you'll find even more information that's usable as you gather up your odds and ends.

We've talked about the small things that were found in vest pockets and saddlebags - and we've covered labels and even paper currency, so one might think that they're 'set' - but there's yet one more damned thing to think about and that's the 'modern' stuff you still have in your pocket, and how to effectively 'mask' it.

Visible cell phones and pagers are a no-brainer - as are wristwatches - but what about a key item that all of us carry and that makes it possible to actually attend an NCOWS event?

Wonder what that is, don't you?

It's a 'key'...

Since it's somewhat difficult to 'ride the range' on the back of a mustang - we've changed horses and now drive Mustangs - and they all start with an ignition key - a modern, hard-to-camouflage reminder of the modern world...

What to do?

Well, get out there and find yourself one of those old folding keys that seem to pop up at flea markets and antique shows, that's what.

These folding keys were designed to fit a deep-set lock mechanism in a thick door of some variety, and are often about 6" in overall length.

The 'key' part of the affair opens like the blade of a pocket knife.

All you need to do is to drive out the rivet and use the key section to measure your vehicle keys base and use a file to cut and re-shape the igntion key so it works like the original - drill and re-rivet - and 'wah-laa' - it's not only perfectly camouflaged, but it will work, as well.

These old keys were made by a number of firms - 'R&B Mfg - New Britain, Connecticut' and 'Branford Lockworks' - also of Connecticut are but two of them, though many are un-marked.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Great idea!  I never knew such a thing existed!

[Silver Creek Slim]

Me either.

Slim

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[Kayleen]

Hey guys,
 I got one several years ago at an auction.
 I think I paid about $5.00 for a box of "stuff" and found many keys, a folding key, and a match safe.
 
Kayleen

[John Smith]

I just put my key in my match safe, without matches of course.

[Lone Gunman]

These seem to sell on ebay for $5-$10. Here's a pic for those who haven't seen one:

[Hill Beachy]

GREAT idea!  Of course, if your skills as a craftsman is on par with mine, you should do this with your SPARE ignition key.  Hmmm.....may have to have several spares handy.