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Ulf Weissenberger
Antique Locks and Keys
Their History, Uses and Mechanisms
Early History
Neolithic
5500 to 2000 B.C.
Bronze Age
2000 to 800 B.C.
5000 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500
Sumerians
3500 to 2000 B.C.
City States
2000 to 1000 B.C.
Assyrians
1700 to 610 B.C.
Iron is First Smelted in Pit Ovens
From Hunter to Farmer
First Depictions of a Key
5000 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500
1
Iron Age
800 to 0 B.C.
Roman Imperial Period
o to 370 A.D.
Middle Ages
500 to 1500 A.D.
1000 500 B.C. 0 500 A.D. 1000
Greeks
800 to 27 B.C.
Merovingians
420 to 750
Carolingians
750 to 900
Romans
750 B.C. 370 A.D.
Celts
650 to 50 B.C.
Germanic People
420 to 900
Etruscans
1700 to 200 B.C.
Illyrians
450 to 170 B.C.
Wind Oven
Stucco Oven
First Bronze Keys
First Iron Keys
1000 500 B.C. 0 500 A.D. 1000
2
1
Ancient History
The Evolution of Locking Mechanisms
According to the most recent studies, the origin of locks and keys dates back to around 2800
B.C., as testified by Akkadian cylinder seals found in modern day Iraq dating from 2300 B.C.
There are also representations of ancient Egyptian keys from about 1400 B.C. In this context,
it's interesting to note that the Neolithic age ended in 2000 B.C. and the first Iron Age ended
in 400 B.C. The Bronze Age ended around the year 1050 B.C.
Ancient Texts
Textual and linguistic research of Babylonian
Empire writings (1850 B.C. – 1550 B.C.) reveal, as
stated by philologist Onofrio Carruba, that locks
were already quite common at that time. The
following terms were used in that period:
Sikuru: Bolt
Secru: Closed off
Sekretu: Lockmaker
Wrought Iron
Archeology shows that iron objects were common
among the Egyptians and the Greeks in 1200 B.C.
Around 700 B.C. ironworking was widespread
among the Etruscans and the Raeti (aka Rhaeti)
in northern Italy. It’s interesting to point out that
it is impossible to demonstrate the existence of
keys among the Etruscan population. At the time,
northern Europe was behind in ironmaking. Only
after the year 300 A.D. things started to change in
this respect (see Iron Smelting, page 32).
Homer
The Greek poet Homer refers more than once to
locks and keys in his works (800-750 B.C.). In "The
Odyssey" he describes the opening of a Greek lock
used to guard a temple door. He also describes how
Penelope took the bow that she gave to Ulysses
(aka Odysseus) from the treasure room that was
well locked and explains in detail the process of
unlocking the door.
In the book of Isaiah, the key is described as a
symbol of power and dignity. This same symbolism
can be found in Akkadian sigils (the God
Schamach) in Mesopotamia, in the representations
of Kronos (aka Cronus) in Greece, of Anubis in
Egypt, and in those of St. Peter with Christians. The
symbolism of the key was depicted in many ways
until the end of the XVIII century (see The Symbolic
Power of the Key, page 260).
8
8
Wooden door with
external sliding
bolt. Swampland
settlements of
Wetzikon-Robenhausen
(Switzerland). Now at
the National Museum of
Zurich.
9
The Birth of Locking Mechanisms
Many archeological sites have revealed that the first known type of locking mechanism
was nothing more than a deep hole covered with a heavy slab of rock. The next advance
was an external sliding bolt (see page 9). This simple mechanism was used in the Neolithic
and is still used today in virtually every culture and can be found in every imaginable
variation. The final advance was the development of locking mechanisms that used a
removable object in order for the lock to be opened - namely, the key.
The Pin Tumbler Lock – a Lock with a Key.
This lock, found in Sargon's Palace in modern
day Iraq, can be considered one of the oldest,
if not the oldest existing lock in the world.
Throughout the centuries many variants of this
lock have been built and are still used today
in a few remote regions of the world. Another
type of lock that falls into this category is the
kind operated by an anchor shaped key like the
one described on page 22. Pin tumbler locks
also served as the model on which the design
of the Yale cylinder lock was based at the
beginning of the XIX century.
10
Pin Tumbler Lock with a Lift and
Slide key.
This type of lock was used in
Mesopotamia around 2600 B.C.
Representations of the god
Shamash holding a key were
found on Akkadian cylinder
seals. The oldest original lock
specimen comes from Sargon's
Palace (Iraq) and is dated 750
B.C. In ancient Greece, this type
of lock found widespread use
among the population and made
its way through Egypt up to the
Celtic territories during the Greek
colonization period.
Pin tumbler lock with a lift and
slide key; locking mechanism used
since 2600 B.C. in Mesopotamia.
0123 a
A pin tumbler lock with a
pegged key.
Period: circa 800 B.C.
Pin Tumbler Lock with Pegged
Key.
This version of the pin tumbler
lock was developed in ancient
Greece for widespread use. In
certain European regions, similar
locks were manufactured up until
the XVIII century. Wooden pins
would fit into notches carved in
the bolt, preventing the bolt from
sliding. Lifting these pins with
a pegged key would unlock the
bolt.
0123 b
Open position.
11
Here are a few comments on
the locks and keys mentioned
so far: all keys that have a long
stem, such as the Sanzeno key,
the sickle keys or hooked keys
and other similar specimens
were mostly used for rotatory
movements or lifting-rotatory
movements.
[Note: the use of a wooden lever
was common in ancient times.
The wooden lever was a round
piece of wood as wide as a hand.
This was inserted through the
bow and would add torque to
the rotatory movement. All keys
with short stems would be used
as slide keys.]
All locking mechanisms where
the key is inserted in the side,
such as the warded keys on page
11, or turn keys, were mainly
operated from the inside. You
had to then exit from another
side of the house. Another
possible variation is the one
discussed on page 11, but this is
not documented.
The teeth of the Sanzeno key enter the slots in the bolt.
0173
20
0173
Reconstruction of a lock that
employs a Sanzeno key.
21
Restoration
Doing serious restoration is like taking a long walk on a tightrope. It requires experience
and finesse. It goes without saying that anyone who restores in this specialized field has to
have all-around skills. The restorer should be able to do the following to some extent: clean,
preserve, braze copper and brass, blue, and forge. In addition, some types of decorative skills
should be known.
This is an example of bright polished
parts over a darkened background
40
Concerning antique locks, two categories of
restorers can be mentioned:
1. Professional Restorers:
Mostly excellent craftsmen who work for
museums and collectors.
2. Collectors:
They restore their objects for themselves. The
philosophy of collecting divides this group into:
a) collectors who only clean their objects
superficially, possibly conserve them and then
leave them as they are in order to preserve the
cultural-historical condition they were found
in as long as possible.
b) collectors who try to clean, conserve and
mechanically restore an object (I belong to this
group).
I cannot and will not give advice to the first
group. To the second group, if they do not
already have experience, I would like to say
the following:
In principle, it is important to ensure that the
cultural and historical value is maintained or
improved. It is important that functionality is
maintained or is restored.
Many try to achieve the original shine of the
object, but this usually has to do with modifying
the lock or its surface, and usually results in
failure. To restore the original character, that is, to
restore the original appearance without losing any
historical and cultural value, is my personal aim.
The example below is intended to show what I
mean by this. This lock’s base plate was visibly
blackened in some spots. The parts attached (to
the base plate) were bright and parts of the surface
were probably polished. Therefore, I attempted
to restore the original character (bright parts on
black background). The parts were not polished
though.
Before restoration
After restoration
41
In the center of the beautiful
faceplate decoration is a round
vertical bar with studs.
0853
Cabinet lock with two spring bolts. The faceplate
decoration was cut and chased. A beautifully shaped
elegant ornament is riveted around the keyhole. The
bolts are operated by two bent springs with levers. This
is the typical style of the late Gothic period. Ornate ward
box. The key is missing.
Size: 18.5 cm x 17 cm.
Period: Gothic, circa 1500.
Origin: Central Switzerland.
References:
Pessiot M.; p. 90 / Pankhofer H.; p. 46
0889
Late Gothic cabinet lock with two spring bolts. The lock
plate has riveted decorative trim ending in a dragon's
head. A V-spring acts on the bolts via a lever. The lever's
rivets, covered by a rosette, extend as decorative rims
in the form of an acanthus leaf. In addition, the inside
of the octagonal ward box is completely intact and its
copper soldering is exceptional.
Size: 20 cm x 13 cm.
Period: Late Gothic, circa 1520.
Origin: Hesse, Germany.
Reference:
Prochnow D.; p. 108
80
5212
Split pin key with small
clamp. Forged from one piece.
Bit with a bridge ward and
ring ward cuts. The small
tooth behind the bit is for a
second tumbler behind the
lock plate.
Length: 21.5 cm.
Period: 16th century.
Origin: Western Switzerland.
5251
Hollow key forged from one
piece. Bit with cross-shaped
clefts for ring and pin wards.
Length: 31 cm.
Period: 15th–16th century.
Origin: Allgäu region, southern
Germany.
Reference:
Hoffmann B.; pp. 140, 144
81
The claw latches are operated
by a lever.
0314
Chest lock with two lateral latches and
V-spring. The lock case is trapezoidal in
shape. Ward box is missing.
Size: 23 cm x 26 cm.
Key: Missing.
Period: Late Gothic, circa 1550.
Origin: Austria.
References:
Mandel G.; p. 56 / Görig M. (2006); pp. 109, 149
0301
Chest lock with claw latches. Engraved
decorations inside the lock box function
as bolt guides. Two bent springs press
on the latches from the sides.
Size: 21 cm x 25 cm.
Key: Hollow key, cast copy.
Period: Late Gothic, circa 1550.
Origin: Switzerland.
References:
Mandel G.; p. 56 / Görig M. (2006); p. 109, 149
86
0810
Spring lock with two bolts in classic late
Gothic shape and two springs. The top
spring is spiral shaped. The bolt guides
are fastened by ball head rivets. This
could also have been used as a chest
lock because the faceplate is not bent at
right angles. Spring construction typical
of the time.
Size: 16 cm x 13.5 cm.
Key: Hollow key from the time, slightly
modified bit.
Period: Late Gothic, circa 1560.
Origin: Tyrol or Bavaria.
References:
Canz S. (1977); p. 46 / Pankhofer H.; p. 70 /
Dorigatti B. Collection, Südtirol
0521
Door lock with two spring operated
bolts and internal pull handle. Two bent
springs. This design is typical of the
eastern Alpine region, see page 83.
Size: 32 cm x 24 cm.
Key: Hollow key from the period,
reconstructed bit.
Period: Early Renaissance, circa 1560.
Origin: South Tyrol, Austria.
Reference:
Raffaelli U. ; p. 163 / Görig M. (2006); p. 128, 130 /
Collection:
Dorigatti B. Collection, Südtirol
0508
Door lock with two spring operated
bolts and internal pull handle. Two bent
springs and a lever. The escutcheon, the
riveted decoration and part of the key
are original. The spring construction is
typical of the Gothic period, see page
83.
Size: 36 cm x 29 cm.
Key: Hollow key with original bit.
Period: Early Renaissance, circa 1540.
Origin: Tyrol, upper Austria.
References:
Heintschel H.; p. 75 / Raffaelli U. ; p. 163 /
Görig M. (2006); pp. 130, 131
87
0354
Chest lock with two lateral spring
operated latches. A V-spring in the
middle. The lower crossbar presses
on the latches via a lever. The rivet
heads are decorated with rosettes.
The faceplate decoration was cut and
engraved. The lower part of the latch
guide ends in a beautiful animal head
with a copper tongue to ward off evil
spirits. On the left and right, the levermoving
part continues as decorative
trim. On the top of the ward box is a
punched rosette.
Size: 19 cm x 24 cm.
Key: Original hollow key.
Period: Late Gothic, circa 1540.
Origin: The Nuremberg, Augsburg,
Wurzburg area, southern Germany.
References:
Canz S.. (1992); pp. 77, 85, 88 / Raffaelli U.; p. 196 /
Dorigatti B. Collection, Südtirol
100
100
From both a technical
and a creative standpoint,
this lock was constructed
according to the Moorish-
Spanish Gothic tradition
of the 15th century. Since
this lock was made at least
100 years later, it is likely
that this work made in the
Nuremberg, Augsburg,
Würzburg area was
influenced by that period.
101
101
Typical Rennaissance hollow
key shaft made from rounded
layers of forged iron sheets
brazed with copper.
0815
Cabinet lock with two bolts. Two springs act on
the bolts. These may have originally been torsion
springs. The trefoil base plate and cover are richly
engraved with grotesques and vines. The spaces
in between have been blackened. The bolt guide's
mounting bracket was punched and engraved.
Size: 25 cm x 14 cm.
Key: Original hollow key.
Period: Early Renaissance, circa 1580.
Origin: The Nuremberg, Augsburg, Wurzburg
area, southern Germany.
References:
Mandel G.; p. 108 / Görig M. (2006); p. 115 / Grotesque from Kastner O.; p. 63
106
0507
Door lock with two spring operated bolts and
internal pull handle. The spring cover and the
rear bolt guide mounting bracket were shaped as
acanthus leaves. Old repairs are clearly visible.
Size: 37 cm x 20 cm.
Key: Original hollow key, but not necessarily from
this lock.
Period: Renaissance, circa 1580.
Origin: Austria, Tyrol (Tobadill).
0505
Spring lock with internal pull handle and springloaded
bolt stop. One lifting latch and one spring
loaded bolt. External and internal lever handle
present. One torsion spring with a lever for
throwing the bolt. One bent spring for the lifting
latch.
Size: 31 cm x 17 cm.
Key: Original hollow key.
Period: Renaissance, circa 1580.
Origin: Allgäu region, southern Germany.
Reference:
Görig M. (2006); pp. 130, 136, 137
107
An asymmetrical tinned escutcheon
belongs to this lock. The lock
comes from the former Carl Kiefer
Collection, Munich, Germany.
0529
Door lock with one spring bolt and one lifting
latch. A bolt stop forged to resemble a spiral. Inner
and outer handles are cut, curled and punched in
Renaissance style. Trefoil lock case. The cut and
punched decorative plate is underlaid with red
leather. Three grotesques are present. Since there
is no protruding base plate, there are 5 lily-shaped
fasteners. The three large decorative nails (above)
are original. All parts have original tinning.
Size: 28 cm x 22.5 cm.
Key: Original hollow key.
Period: Renaissance, circa 1610.
Origin: Franconia, southern Germany.
The lock mechanism is mounted
within the lock case cover.
Reference:
Kahsnitz R.; pp. 29, 31
0813
Cabinet lock with two spring bolts. The closed,
trefoil lock case is covered with a tinned
decorative plate and engraved with arabesques
and grotesques. The ward box and the lock plate
are engraved with grotesques. The bolt guide
mounting brackets are also engraved with dots
and flecks. The base plate is cut and engraved and
also features a small grotesque.
Size: 29 cm x 14 cm.
Key: Hollow key, reconstructed bit.
Period: Renaissance, circa 1615.
Origin: Franconia, southern Germany.
References:
Kastner O.; p. 63 / Görig M. (2006); p. 161
130
Hollow and pin keys for locks with an additional tumbler
behind the lock plate (like No. 509 and 510, or No. 126).
Size: 24 cm.
Origin: Southern Germany.
131
Stylistic Periods
Middle Ages
500 to 1500 A.D.
1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Romanesque Period
Germany 1000-1250
France 1000-115
Italy 1000-1250
Gothic Period
Germany 1250 - 1525
France 1150 - 1500
Italy 1250 - 1425
Utilization of Hydropower
First Hammer Mills
1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
3
Modern Era
from 1500
1500 1600 1700 1800 1850
The Renaissance
Germany 1525 - 1635
France 1500 - 1625
Italy 1425 - 1575
Baroque Period
Germany 1635 - 1730
France 1625 - 1650
Italy 1575 - 1730
Neoclassical Period
Germany 1750 - 1830
France 1750 - 1830
Italy 1720 - 1830
Rococo
Blast Furnace
1500 1600 1700 1800 1850
4
This is probably the most beautiful (and largest) book on locks and keys ever published. Not
only are there hundreds of stunning high-resolution photos of European locks and keys from
Roman times through the Industrial Revolution, all with dates, dimensions, and provenance,
but the detailed photos and the author’s notes also allow us to examine and understand
the workings of the locks’ internal mechanisms. Author Ulf Weissenberger’s tour de force
covers the history of locks and keys, how their mechanisms developed over the centuries,
and how each major art period affected their shape and decoration. The author also presents
his personal ideas on the restoration of antique locks and keys. Ulf Weissenberger has been
collecting and restoring with passion and attention to detail for over 35 years. In this book
he gives us impressive insights into almost 5000 years of cultural, technological, and artistic
history and, almost incidentally, answers the question of how naturally locks and keys have
been part of our lives for millennia.
$58.95
ISBN 978-0-9979798-9-3
55895>
9 780997 979893