Roman door locks - more images 3

 

 

Ancient Romans also used wooden pin tumbler door locks alongside the metal ones. A wooden or metal key was inserted through a slit in the door to lift the metal pin tumblers and the key was then used to pull the bolt to the side. Sketch by the author.

Wooden lever tumbler lock with anchor-shaped metal key. The bolt is released when the key is inserted in the vertical slit, turned a half revolution until the tips of the anchor match the holes in the lever tumblers, which can then be lifted. Sketch by the author

 

Wooden pull lock with anchor-shaped metal key. The bolt is released when the key is inserted in the horizontal slit, turned a half revolution until the anchor tips match the holes in the bolt, which the key then moves to the side. Sketch by the author.