File:Medieval padlock (FindID 504408).jpg

English: An incomplete cast copper-alloy barb spring padlock of Medieval date. It has an elongated hollow, rectangular case with projecting integral hasp at one end, the remainder of the lock now missing due to old breaks. The case has a rectangular projection along the centre of the bottom edge, which terminates at the hasp end in the remains of openwork decoration or apertures for the barb spring, its precise form uncertain due to old breaks. The upper surface of the case is undecorated but has extensive transverse tool marks. However, the remaining surfaces of the case are decorated with bands of double rows of punched opposing triangular motifs. On the sides these bands form a rectangular border with central wavy line motif, while all the exterior surfaces of the rectangular projection on the bottom surface of the case have single central bands.

The hasp is integally cast and has a projecting rectangular stem or shaft with central rectangular aperture. At the top of the shaft are the remains of an integrally cast bar that is lozenge shaped in section and where it meets the hasp has a zoomorphic terminal in the form of an animal head with open mouth from which protrudes the bar. The creature has an elongated snout, prominent eyes, brow and ears, all surfaces having extensive tool or file marks. The form of the keyhole below the hasp is uncertain due to old breaks, while at the opposite end of the case has three rectangular apertures, which may indicate the lock had up to three spring mechanisms. The surviving padlock measures 43.81mm in length, 15.63mm in width, 34.42mm in height (including hasp, 18.73mm at case), and weighs 28.74g.

This padlock would have had a barb-spring mechanism opened by a barrel padlock key. Its size may indicate use on a casket or chest. Similar examples are recorded from Medieval contexts in London (Egan, 1998: pp. 93-97) and Winchester (Biddle, 1990: nos. 3665-3667), as well as on the PAS database. These are indicative of a 12th to 13th century AD date for the current example, which is perhaps further supported by the decorative elements and zoomorphic terminal.