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THE CHARM OF OLD CRAFTS IN KREMNICA

LOCKSMITHS

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Kremnica

The specialization of some smiths in making locks and keys led to the appearance of a new craft in lock making, as early as the Middle Ages. Apart from keys, padlocks and fixed locks, they also produced metalwork for buildings, furniture, and various other useful objects. At first, a locksmith also made clocks and trigger mechanisms for guns. Specialization only in the making of clocks and guns led to the origin of further separate crafts-clock making and gun making. They usually formed guilds together.

The lock maker worked iron, either hot, by hammering, or cold, by sawing, drilling, bending, cutting, or cutting of screw threads. The basic equipment of the workshop was a worktable with a drill and vice. Measuring and drawing instruments, scissors and tools for sawing, cutting and drilling were among the most frequently used equipment. In 1579, the locksmiths founded a joint guild in Kremnica with the gun, belt, sword, knife makers, joiners, cart wrights and glass makers. However, we already meet with locksmiths in the 15th century. Two locksmiths are mentioned in the tax roll from 1442-43.

In 1610, the masters drew up statutes as an independent guild. In 1705, the locksmiths again formed a joint guild with the makers of guns and spurs. On the revision of the statutes in 1761, the town authorities directed the gun makers to join the locksmith's guild, because there was only one in the town. Later in 1777, no locksmiths were listed in the town.

The craft emblem was 2 crossed keys and a padlock. They chose St. Ladislaus as their patron

GO BACK TO OLD CRAFTS

Reprinted from: The Charm of Old Crafts, PhDr. Ludmila Nemeskurthiova
Published by © National Bank of Slovakia-Museum of Coins and Medals Kremnica 1998
Published in the Slovak Heritage Live newsletter Volume 7, No. 4, Winter 1999 
3804 Yale Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5C 1P6
The above article and photographs may not be copied, reproduced, republished, or redistributed by any means including electronic, without the express written permission of Vladimir Linder. All rights reserved.