Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Locksmith
(888 words)

1. Occupation

The metalworking craft (Crafts and trades) of the locksmith (Neolatin serator/serifex, Dutch slotenmaker, German Schlosser, Kleinschmied, Kunstschmied, French serrurier, Italian chiavaio), developed from the 14th century within the sphere of activity of the smithy. Guilds were formed, sometimes jointly with winchmakers, spurriers, gunsmiths, or clockmakers, specialties that had also developed out of smithing. The work of the locksmith included in particular making padlocks, …

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Reith, Reinhold, “Locksmith”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 31 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_027121>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20190801



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