Henry J Trunk Lock Key

[DrPepper]

I have a 52 Henry J and need info on the trunk lock key.
Does anyone know what the blank number is for that key??
I'm taking the lock cylinder to a lock smith today, but I don't have much hope that they will be able to help me.

[larryk]

This is the trunk key for my '53. It just says Yale. If it had a number, it's worn away over time.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

There is a lady advertising reproduction key blanks (ignition and trunk) for K-F cars.  I got a set ahd at least for my 1952 Henry J the trunk key worked just fine.  It unlocks the trunk, the car doors  (this was a dealer installed option) and even turns properly in the ignition so it will start.  Check your copy of the KFOCI MONTHLY BULLETIN under parts for sale.  Her name is Anna Hansen, she's in California and her telephone number is 530-824-2331.  Her husband set up the availability and she's taken over after his death last year.

[DrPepper]

Thanks for the key info. I'll look into that.
Now if I could only figure out how the trunk lock cylinder actually unlocks the trunk. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but this has me puzzled.
First, I can't figure out what holds the cylinder in the license plate light fixture. Mine will push thru from the front or the back and just slides back and forth.
Second, there doesn't appear to be anything that pushes the latch to open it.
Or when you turn the key, are you supposed to pull the trunk lid open w/ the license plate fixture and that opens the latch?

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

Keys 🔑 work Great. Late Mr. Hansen  did a Number One Job.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

On my car, the trunk lid "pops" when you turn the key.  Then you lift up with the license plate light handle.  It has a hood prop (like the 1947 Kaiser and frazer have) sort of thing that locks into place to hold the lid up.  There are no counter weights or balances on the hinges to keep the trunk open.