1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

[Doug J.]

The TIM&JG for 1970-72 says (pg.28) that the letter stamped on the key should be right side up with the point of the key facing the person and the notches to the right.

I have a set, with knockouts, and the correct alpha-numeric code.... with the letter being right side up when the point of the key is facing the left and the notches are facing the person.

Could someone please tell me what configuration is correct for a 1971.

[Gerard Q.]

Re: 1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

A pic of my 71 keys which I believe to be correct.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

It seems that when Briggs & Stratton was acquired by StraTech, the orientation of the keyway code (A, B, C, D....) on the shank of the key changed. Originals from Briggs are known to be embossed either parallel or perpendicular to the shank while those from the post-acquisition era seem to be at a 45-degree angle to the shank. I believe that's what the text of the JG book's description is trying to convey.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

Hi Doug,
I have the original keys from my 71, #6589.
The key-way code letters are at an angle as Jack described a "post acquisition key" and are at an angle compared to Gerald's picture.
The door/ignition key that I used everyday has most of the plating worn off the key as far back as the 'cut', and almost to the letter.
Here's one for when you have nothing else to care about... the slot in both my B keys extends all the way into the 'oval' that the GM logo is in. Gerald's stops short of it. This information will be life changing!!!
Regards,
Alan

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

The folks at Briggs & Stratton, before they changed names, told me that the orientation of the keyway letter indicated who the supplier of the keys was. Orientation like in Gerard's photo indicates the keys were made in house. In our initial conversations they maintained that all the keys and locksets they supplied to Saginaw had keys made in house, but they later changed that position to: "a very few could have been made on contract."

[Peter L.]

Re: 1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

Alan - The good news is that in general the extent that the length of the groves on the either side of the key shaft extending up and into the key head is not "life changing" But, your observation is important in that the grooves on the key shaft must be long enough to allow the key to be fully inserted in the lock for the key to operate the lock. Every once in awhile, I'll come across a key that is defective in that the grooves do not extent far enough and the key won't work in the locks. Pete

[Kenneth T.]

Re: 1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

Hi Doug,
I have the original keys from my 71, #6589.
The key-way code letters are at an angle as Jack described a "post acquisition key" and are at an angle compared to Gerald's picture.
The door/ignition key that I used everyday has most of the plating worn off the key as far back as the 'cut', and almost to the letter.
Here's one for when you have nothing else to care about... the slot in both my B keys extends all the way into the 'oval' that the GM logo is in. Gerald's stops short of it. This information will be life changing!!!
Regards,
Alan

Allen,

Great attention to detail. Is it kind of like this one? My dealer was kind enough to pop out the knock outs and put them in a bag for me.
'71 #21715

Ken

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

It is my understanding that since a strike in 1949 at Briggs and Stratton which virtually stopped production at GM, GM insisted that a second source of keys and locks be available. From 1949 until 1969 (?) the Briggs and Stratton or Rochester Products (the other supplier of locks and keys) logos and ID were on the keys. With the advent of the newer design keys, the manufacturer's name and logo were deleted. The only Identification as to which supplier the keys were from was in the orientation of the keyway letter to the keyway either parallel or perpendicular. I have some original keys for '69 and up with the knockouts with the letters in both diections. The 45 degree angled keys are indeed Stratec and do not have knockout as far as I know. Does this info seem accurate?
Jeff

[Alan S.]

Re: 1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

Hi Pete,
So it turns out I was making a bit of a joke about something that can in fact matter. Thanks very much for the additional information!!
Regards,
Alan

[Alan S.]

Re: 1971 Keyway Letter (a & B) Question

Hi Ken,
It's close, but mine goes a bit further. The key-way stops just at the point it touches the recessed area. Also, it does have the angled B.
Regards,
Alan

PS: This is a direct scan of the key. I think you can see the tiny difference between it and yours. Sorry, no digital camera......yet!