Roman lock-rebuilt

That makes sense, but wouldn't it be very easy to break/pick?

That makes sense, but wouldn't it be very easy to break/pick?

None of the locks/keys looked at all "fragile" , a hardwood can be very tough indeed. Also quite a lot of people patrolling with pointy spears might dissuade those of larcenous intent.

Ah, I can't really tell how the keys work, but it seems to me that it wouldn't take much to stick one's fingers in and move the slats without a key, that is the major weakness I see (but never having been face to face with a lock such as this I haven't ever tried it, there may be some trick that makes such an effort impossible). I suppose also the originals were a bit better made than that reproduction, the wood piece on the front would be a bit thicker and less easily broken/ripped off.

 

[edit] I just noticed (well had pointed out to me) the small piece that would keep the wood in place, even if the front piece were ripped off. Sly Romans!