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How did tumblers prevent the bolt of a Barron lock from moving?
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lock
Figure 1: Ancient Egyptian lock
In a Barron lock, the tumblers function as levers or pawls that fall into a slot within the bolt. This physical obstruction prevents the bolt from moving. The bolt remains locked until the key raises each tumbler to the exact required height, clearing them from the slot and allowing the bolt to be slid into the open position.1