Very old lock

asterix

Hi all,i just posted a lock for ID and while i’m here thought you might like to see this lock i dug up,metal detecting in the UK.
12th-14th Century Barrel (spring barb) Padlock.

regards,Dave

Brian Morland MLA Hon

That’s an interesting padlock, was it found in context with other finds. How did you date it? I can’t quite see from the pictures – is that a design or perhaps wording along the edge, possibly Latin text, can I make out an X, I, M & L characters. It looks cast bronze. It might be earlier than 12th-14th c. Anyway I would love to hear more about it, number of barbs etc. also what are the sizes.

asterix

Brian Morland wrote
That’s an interesting padlock, was it found in context with other finds. How did you date it? I can’t quite see from the pictures – is that a design or perhaps wording along the edge, possibly Latin text, can I make out an X, I, M & L characters. It looks cast bronze. It might be earlier than 12th-14th c. Anyway I would love to hear more about it, number of barbs etc. also what are the sizes.

Hi Brian,i found it in a ploughed field that shows no sign of habitation.The only other finds of interest were a few hammered coins from around that period.
That isn’t writing on it,they’re very deep scratches.I don’t have any knowledge of locks so i can’t answer your other questions.
It has been recorded and validated on UKDFD,there’s loads of locks and keys there that will be of interest.
The link will take you to the record,if you click on Database at the top of the page you can find plenty of others.
Dave

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=12730&cat=120

[unknown]

Brian Morland MLA Hon

Thank you for the useful link Dave.

There are two features about this lock that make it interesting. The first is that it appears as though it’s the eye that removes rather than the shackle. More commonly it’s the shackle that removes. The other interesting feature is the small protrusion on the end that removes, presumably to assist in withdrawing the bolt once the key has compressed the barbs.

I’m sure that the artisan that produced this lock ‘borrowed’ the design in much the same way that its possible even today to buy locks from the middle and far east that are made in both the style and technique of many generations before.

In all that’s a very interesting find.