Iron 4 1/2" length with tapered shank and terminal nub. The grip with a loop terminal for suspension. Made to open V spring drum locks used in the slave trade. It is estimated that by 1000 AD, 10% of Europe's population was enslaved. Vikings were active slavers, taking coastal village dwellers for their own use, sale to the trade, and in some cases, ransom. A typical Viking homestead is said to have had one or more slave dwellings.
