Circa 100 BC-100 AD
The actual bolt that slid back and forth to lock and unlock. The small holes of slightly different shapes would accept the small wards on the correct key. If the shapes weren't correct it would not retract. We have a few really nice examples, each is around 2 to 3 inches long. See a similar bolt in the book - The Lure Of The Lock-page 22. See page 26 also for an interesting picture of how the bit of an ancient key actually fit into this type of bolt. This is a rare photograph and it will explain how the relationship of the ancient bolt and key. The bolts we have for sale are really beautiful. They have been recently dug up in eastern Europe and all of them are original and not cleaned, dirt encrusted with a light greenish patina. Really interesting!

Great gift idea. We have only a few left!