Description (Labels & Markings)
Handwritten waxed paper label (partial) affixed to object with string reads: "N [...] S [...] D [...]"
Event Date
Author: David Kay

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card for 1948.994 A-E: "Iron keys for barrel padlocks, possibly Roman, possibly Medieval. See London Museum Roman Catalogue pl. xxxi, where they are described as hasps."
Event Date
Author: David Kay

Context (References)
cf: Museum of London (1940) 'Medieval Catalogue' London: London Museum Catalogues. Plate: XXXI
Event Date 1940
Author: David Kay

Context (Analysis)
Catalogue card notes "No Provenance", but since from a British collection in all likelihood British.
Event Date 7/3/1994
Author: David Kay

Description (Physical description)
A barrel-padlock key with terminus of shank rolled over into a closed loop, with a flattened shank, and bit set roughly perpendicularly to shank with double central piercing. The entire object is somewhat corroded, and the shank has been bent into a right angle roughly two-thirds of the way down its length. The bit has also been bent into an oblique angle and is no longer quite perpendicular to the shank.
Event Date 16/1/2019
Author: David Kay

Context (Analysis)
Cf. London Museum Medieval Catalogue, Figure 44. The Catalogue notes that such keys are for use in barrel-padlocks, and have been recovered from Viking contexts and continued in use throughout the Medieval period. English examples are reported to typically have the bit set laterally to the shank, though this is sometimes also the case in Scandinavian examples. Further, it is noted (p. 148) that whilst the Museum of London specimens were previously thought to be Roman, they are now clearly recognised as Medieval in origin. As such, the Period field has been changed from '?Roman; ?Medieval' to ' Medieval', and the Place field from '?Europe; ?British Isles' to 'Europe; ?British Isles'.
Event Date 16/1/2019
Author: David Kay