Arms and Armour

Drawbar (defense)

A drawbar is a defensive implement used to secure a door or gate in a medieval or Early Modern building such as a castle, but also churches and townhouses. When drawn across the full length of the door, it prevents the door or gate from being opened. To open the door or gate, the drawbar is pushed into a drawbar slot in the wall. These drawbar slots often survive in ruins and preserved buildings from that time. A drawbar was usually set behind an inward-opening door, to resist it being forced by a battering ram or other siege engine. The use of gunpowder and the possibility to blow up the door rendered them obsolete.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Battle of Crécy
• ▸John G. Trump
• ▸Dunster Castle

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