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LOCK
Unique ID: SF-33808E
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete cast copper-alloy lock-bolt of Roman date. It is missing part of the outer edge due to old breaks, now worn.
It has a flattened rectangular L-shaped bar that has an integrally cast rectangular panel at one end. This panel has a raised rectangular border containing the remains of two inward pointing triangles before terminating in old breaks.
This lock measures 26.51mm in length, 10.49mm in width at the panel, 6.56mm in width at the bar, 5.37mm in thickness at the panel, 3.49mm in thickness at the bar, 4.19g in weight.
There are similar examples from Colchester (Crummy, 1983, p.124, nos. 4133-4136). Crummy notes that 'lock bolts were used with a lift key which was passed on its side through a vertical keyhole, turned horizontally, and its teeth engaged in the holes in the lock-pin. These it raised, freeing the lock bolt, which was then pulled across with a cord' (Crummy, 1983, p. 124).
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 409
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 26.51 mm
Width: 10.49 mm
Thickness: 5.37 mm
Weight: 4.19 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st January 2014
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Field A
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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