locks and keys

[Notleks]

how do you date old locks and keys

[dot.haukes]

Without going back to ancient times, this article covers the development of the 'modern' lock and key:
http://science.jrank.org/pages/3990/Lock-Key-M odern-locks.html

[Rollo]

Take them to an expert who knows about such old items.

[Lil O'lady]

There is an old SHire publication that kight be a useful styarting point:

Eric Monk: Keys, their history and collection

[Lil O'lady]

I'll have to drop the breakfast gin if it makes me type like that.....