PADLOCK

A complete copper alloy barrel or tubular padlock of Medieval dating (AD 1150 to AD 1300).

The padlock is broadly cylindrical, with a hollow, facetted barrel which is hexagonal in cross-section and has split slightly on the underside. The bolt is fused to the barrel with iron corrosion products. Four Five circumferential grooves are present at the keyhole end, and three at the bolt end.  The lower three facets of the exterior surface of the barrel are decorated. The central panel (lowest) has a repeating diamond design. Each diamond has a central pellet. Chevrons are placed between each diamond on the edges. To either side of the central panel, double zig zag decoration is visible. A smaller, condensed version of the design on the barrel. The arm has been covered with diagonal grooves, with short horizontal ones on the top of the bar. Both the arms of the bolt and the padlock have a small circular hole, with an internal diameter of 2.1 mm. There is an integral rectangular bar at right angles to the barrel which fits through the loop on the arm of the bolt which remains in place, with the twin arms of the bard spring mechanism remaining inside the barrel. 

It measures 26.1 mm in length, 43.8 mm wide, and a maximum thickness of 12.1 mm. It weighs 28.6 g.

The padlock is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina.

Several similar tubular padlocks have been recorded on the PAS database, including: HAMP-7478AA and KENT-40C075. Similar examples excavated from London have been published in Egan (1998: p93-97). All are considered to be Medieval in date, c. 1150 to 1300 AD.