Bristol - original vintage pre-1961 Bristol 2 litre keyring - collector's item

NOW SOLD – sorry this keyring has now been sold and can no longer be ordered but has been left on view as an example of a rare original Bristol keyring .

An original vintage Bristol 2 litre keyring dating from the mid to late 1950s .

We have just this one example of this keyring to offer – when it has been sold this listing will be cancelled.

We are offering only the 3rd example of this keyring which we have ever seen over the years .

Over that period we have seen just one other similar badge in worn condition and no longer attached to the original keyfob ( currently offered remounted onto a new leather keyfob unless now sold )

This example in this listing is in excellent condition as can be seen from the photos.

The vitreous enamel badge is in excellent condition for it’s age .

The odd slightest tiny enamel chips around the edge of the badge are virtually invisible when viewed at life size and too small to be seen in the enlarged high resolution listing photos .

Vitreous enamel badges of this age are rarely still in mint condition .

The badge is mounted onto a triangular shaped keyfob in genuine full grain black hide with good tight stitching

The leather keyfob is in very good condition for it’s age apart from a couple of small splits in the leather either side of the badge hinge – this is a common place for this to happen in the case of a 60+ year old vintage keyring .

The keyring is still perfectly serviceable for the use which it is likely to receive .

This is an important historic item and must be regarded as such.

Almost certainly made by Castles Unit Development Co. of Castle Gate, Leicester at the time. They were the only concern making keyrings of this quality at that time and the triangle of stitching above the badge is exactly the stitching pattern which they used on their famous torpedo keyfobs.

The full grain leather is the same which they were using at the time for their torpedos ( probably goatskin ) and the badge is of the same size and quality with the same design of metal loop on the top of the badge.

Rare keyrings like this one can only be put into stock at a premium – and our asking price reflects this.

Sourcing original vintage keyrings in good condition at an affordable price for cars such as Bristol, Jaguar, Ferrari, Aston Martin etc has become almost impossible.

This keyring is original & correct for use with any pre-1961 Bristol 2 litre motor car using the Bristol built derivative of the BMW M328 2 litre 6 cylinder engine.

In 1961 use of this 2 litre engine was discontinued in favour of the Chrysler 407 V8 engine which became fitted to the Bristol 407.

The keyring in the photos is the actual one which you will receive . SMOSO  00/542 ( 00/571 )  12/23