stunning 19th century all original and completely intact oversized hand-wrought iron and riveted joint tin antique american locksmith hanging trade sign in the form of a large skeleton key, comprised of bow, barrel and distinctive bit. the exterior storefront hardware or locksmith trade sign was likely mounted against the facade of the building above the entrance door. the most remarkable and visually distinctive feature lies in the design and fabrication of the barrel key's bow, featuring elegant scrollwork, a centrally located circle and curvaceous body. the trade sign was likely designed after a furniture cabinet lock key, which commonly contained hollowed barrels, a simple and curved bit, and heavily ornamented bow. the exterior hanging key contains a metallic silver paint finish, with allover crazing evident. two of the original chain links used to mount the sign remain intact. the bit (the part that actually engages the locking mechanism of a lock) is very well-built with added depth. the hanging sign's components were likely affixed together using thermite or resistance welding and rivets. the antique american victorian era exterior trade sign was likely apart of a larger sign - perhaps hanging horizontally below a double-sided custom painted wood or tin sign identifying the locksmith's shop name and/or services provided. the exact sign maker is not known. the trade sign originally hung from a 19th century building in the milwaukee area. the trade sign took many forms in early america. when education was a privilege and literacy rare, the ideal trade sign immediately caught the attention of a passerby and, because of its design, was totally self-explanatory. folk artists, sometimes including itinerant portrait painters, created signs that bore pictures that visually explained the name of the establishment or the services to be found within. these signs usually carried pictures or lettering on both sides and were hung from a tall post at right angles to the road, so as to be visible to travelers approaching from either direction. three-dimensional carved trade signs were often produced in the same workshops as figureheads and other ship decorations and usually displayed the same broad-planed carving style that typified american figureheads. the introduction of electric signs, which could advertise a business in the dark, led to the decline of the carved trade signs.