Warded door locks in Britain:
a brief description for locksmiths I grew up with warded locks. On my 1930’s estate, every house I knew had a warded rimlock on the back door. My Grandfather’s 1911 terrace house had a warded lock on the front door as well as the back. Most padlocks I met as a boy were warded. Many internal door locks were also warded. My Father’s 1930’s diy manual still described how to fit a warded front door rimlatch.
Whilst manning the Lock Collectors’ stand at a lock exhibition, I chatted to a locksmith who told me of drilling a lock to pieces to open it — then finding, when he had it open, that it was a warded lock. In some places, such as ‘new towns’, warded locks are unlikely to be encountered. Yet they are still in very widespread service, sometimes being called ‘heritage locks’, (and sometimes just ‘old-fashioned’) and some locksmiths will need to be able to work on them. In particular, opening most that will be encountered is generally not as difficult as with more recent locks.
Around the country, there are houses, churches, and institutional buildings, particularly from the last two or three centuries, which need sympathetic maintenance, occasional refurbishment, and sometimes alterations for a change of use. Listed buildings and conservation areas can necessitate keeping old locks and door furniture in service. These days, there are not so many locksmiths with knowledge of old locks, and able to recognise old locks of good quality which are still secure. Elsewhere, modern security needs to be added sympathetically. The labourer is worthy of his hire, and working on heritage locks, even just ‘old fashioned’ locks, can mean business.