They were not particularly difficult to circumvent, but they provided a sufficient level of security to deter casual or opportunist thieves.

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This allowed a key to be inserted into the base of the T-shaped hole and then be slid upwards over the ward to release the latch (not shown). If the pattern on the key didn't match the shape of the ward, this couldn't be done.

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Odell's nightlatches had a complex-shaped ward inside them (top right - not from the same door) which was mirrored by the spaces in their associated key (bottom right).

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This unusual T-shaped keyhole (left) is part of an Odell's nightlatch. It's at the entrance to an 1850s tenement on Kelvingrove Street and is only the second I've found in the wild in Glasgow.

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