File:Medieval barb-spring padlock (FindID 538375).jpg

The artefact takes the form of a stylised quadruped, perhaps a horse or dog. The body, which would have held the barb-spring mechanism, is hollow and of ovoid section. The keyhole is shaped like a T on its side and is located at the front, in the animal's chest, while at the back are two sub-rectangular holes, into which the hasp would have fitted. There is no decoration on the body of the beast. Protruding from each of the four bottom corners is a short, forward angled leg. The neck angles upwards steeply. The head is set at a right-angle and is hollow, with a circular hole right through the head from back to snout for the padlock arm to fit into. The animal has two small moulded ears and a double incised band round the snout and another in front of the ears (perhaps intended to depict a bridle). The padlock has a smooth dark grey patina, revealing green corrosion where chipped. The bolt and hasp are missing.

Record BH-DA5807 is a similar example and notes that: "A parallel for this padlock was found in excavations in Winchester (see Biddle 1990: 1011/fig. 313, no. 3665)." Similar artefacts are also recorded on the PAS database - see, for example, SWYOR-92FE85, NLM-5CBA15, SUSS-748045 and BERK-F6BF18 (PAS Annual Report 2005/6: 82). The suggested date range is 12th to early 13th century, though barrel padlocks were used from the 12th to 16th century. Such padlocks would probably have served to secure small caskets.