Bugatti – original vintage 1960s new old stock Craftsman ( CUD ) torpedo keyring – collector’s item

An original new old stock Bugatti torpedo keyring which will have been produced in the late 1960s or very early 1970s .

We have just this one example of this scarce 50 year old torpedo keyring made by Craftsman to offer – when it has been sold this listing will be cancelled.

This keyring is only the 2nd original Bugatti Craftsman ( CUD ) torpedo keyring which we have ever listed .

This keyring is in mint new old stock condition with a vitreous enamel badge mounted onto a torpedo keyfob in genuine hide embossed ‘REAL MOROCCO – MADE IN ENGLAND ‘

Morocco leather was a term for goatskin – and the pebbly grain of the leather shows that this torpedo keyfob is in genuine goatskin.

The keyring was produced by Craftsman .

Castles Unit Developments Ltd of Castle Gate, Leicester – changed their famous CUD name to Craftsman in the late 1960s and the badges were stamped accordingly – and an American connection has been rumoured but never substantiated.

The fact that the reverse of the badge on this keyring is marked ‘Craftsman’ indicates that this particular keyring was produced in the late 1960s or very early 1970s .

CUD were famous in the late 1950s and right through to the late 1960s for the quality of their products which were exported worldwide and the tradition carried on into the early 1970s under the Craftsman name .

The nickel plated vitreous enamel badge is perfect without flaws and is very securely mounted onto the torpedo keyfob with perfectly spaced stitching around the edge .

The nickel plated 5/8″ ( 16mm ) splitring is fitted through the eyelet which has the correct black finish on the face of the keyring with the brass crimped edges on the reverse .

How does a 50 + year old keyring remain in this condition ?

Quite usually 2 keyrings were used with the car …………..the first one was actually used as intended whilst the 2nd one had the spare key fitted and lived in the glove box or safely in a drawer at home .

This keyring will most probably be that 2nd keyring – or with Bugattis being such rare vehicles :- Craftsman could have been intent on having the accolade of producing keyrings for every prestige marque and this keyring was never actually used with a car & remained in store in brand new condition .

Original Bugatti torpedo keyrings like this one are much rarer than original Jaguar torpedo keyrings which are now so valuable & collectible that Bud Marston in USA has written a book entitled ‘Vintage Jaguar keyrings’ which is featured at the beginning of our Jaguar section here in this website shop.

The keyring in the photos is the actual one which you will receive .