Period Locks

[Flyfisher]

Does anyone here know anything about them?

Our front door lock jammed last week so I had to remove it. I found the immediate problem but also discovered that the mortice lock key mechanism is missing. Not a particular surprise as it has never worked - I have the key but it wouldn't turn in the lock and I'd assumed it was simply all seized up.

I tried the obligatory web search but couldn't find any information about repairing such locks, only companies selling refurbished locks. Looking at these I reckon this lock is a 'Georgian steel cased lockable rim latch' of around 1790, which would make sense in the context of the door in question. I'm also pretty sure it's original to the door as it is thickly encrusted with paint (both the door and the lock) but the area undrneath the lock is bare wood.

This photo shows the lock in question:



I assume that the mortice lock mechanism would be located underneath the plate surrounding the keyhole, but when I removed it there was nothing to be seen:



I don't really need the lock to be working, though it would be nice to be able to restore it to working order. The problem is that the latch-retracting mechanism is very worn and I can't really see how it can be repaired without having new parts made for it, which would destroy a lot of the originality.

Any suggestions?

 

[Feltwell]

I'm not sure you are missing any parts for the Mortice lock mechanism. That lock is quite similar to my, much later, rim locks - they are quite crude. The key simply engages in one of the slots in the Mortice lock bolt and pushes it across as it turns. Are you sure you've got the right key?

I've made quite a few keys here now. The local key cutting shop provides the blanks, I file them to shape with some needle files. Only takes about half an hour per key.

What bit of the latch retracting mechanism is worn? Not clear from the picture.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Yes that is the same as one of my locks from around 1900. The key just needs a slot in the bit to clear the piece of metal behind the key hole. The bit on the end of the key( I think that is the correct term) will engage the cut out in the bolt.

 

[Flyfisher]

Thanks for the comments. I think I have the original key, albeit somewhat bent, as below:



It's a good fit for the size of the keyhole but not big enough to engage the mortice bolt slide mechanism, as shown below:



Also, the mortice bolt cannot be moved in or out unless a locking device underneath the bolt slider is pushed upwards against a spring. A bit hard to describe, but shown in the photo below where the mortice bolt/slide piece has been removed.



Also, the key has a pattern that looks as if it should engage with something more than just the single 'plate' of metal around the keyhole - though this is a complete guess and perhaps simple keys were just made this way? I really don't know, but this is what's leading me to believe there might be some other parts missing. Having said all that, perhaps it is the wrong key? Although it couldn't be much larger (maybe 5mm) because of the keyhole size and even then it looks as if it would only just reach the mortice bolt slider.

Hmm.

 

[agbagb]

I don't really need the lock to be working, though it would be nice to be able to restore it to working order. The problem is that the latch-retracting mechanism is very worn and I can't really see how it can be repaired without having new parts made for it, which would destroy a lot of the originality.

Any suggestions?

Send it to Feltwell, he's looking for a excuse to buy a welder!

The worn parts can be built back up with weld and then ground/filed back to the shape required.

 

[Flyfisher]

You're probably correct about that, though it's also a bit beyond my welding skills. I'm semi-competent at welding things thicker than 5mm, but this lock would require a much lighter touch and I'd probably deposit far too much new metal or vaporise the small parts in question. There's not much point in trying to repair something if parts of it might be destroyed in the process.

I think I'll have to find a specialist repairer. Any recomendations?

 

[Feltwell]

I think that's the wrong key FF. It would need to be long enough to engage with the slots in the locking bolt, and to lift the mechanism beneath.

You might be better off starting with a blank key - at least that's what works for me. I file it down so that it will just fit through the keyhole, then start shaping it from there - it's quite logical and relaxing I find, and strangely satisfying to end up with a working key! Yes, I qualify as odd! An ordinary key-cutting shop carries different blanks for rim locks.

A word of warning if you decide to do this - its very easy to file the key down too much - start so that it will only just barely fit through the keyhole. It only takes a tiny bit too much filing to make the key too short to throw the bolt properly.

 

[Feltwell]

I think I'll have to find a specialist repairer. Any recomendations?

Willenhall, not far from myself and Mr Skier-Hughes, was the centre of lock making in the UK. Like many of these old areas, most of the trade has gone but a few specialists remain. I've not used them, but consider http://www.carrierlocks.co.uk

 

[Flyfisher]

You may be right about the key not being original. I've just checked a similar lock on another door (which works!) and the key is much larger - though too large for the lock in the photos, I've just tried!

I'm now tempted to remove the working lock and compare the internal mechanisms, which might confirm things.

However, if the lock in the photos really is complete then it's not exactly high security because any key with a simple split down the middle would be able to operate it.

And thanks for that company link. They look exactly like the sort of firm that could repair things and supply a new key.

While searching for 'Willenhall locksmiths' I came across this interesting history of the locksmith industry, which includes the fact that by 1855 there were 344 master locksmiths in Willenhall:
http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/locks/gazetteer/priceg/priceg01.htm

 

[Feltwell]

FF - have a look at:-

http://www.carrierlocks.co.uk/doc/In_the_press_Locksmith_Magazine.pdf

While searching for 'Willenhall locksmiths' I came across this interesting history of the locksmith industry, which includes the fact that by 1855 there were 344 master locksmiths in Willenhall:
http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/locks/gazetteer/priceg/priceg01.htm

There is still some legacy in the area - Chubb, Yale and ERA, all major security companies, still have offices in the area. It's interesting that back in day you had whole towns largely devoted to a single trade - which was very true around the Black Country especially, but elsewhere as well. Sometimes I guess it was down to local natural resources - "The Potteries" for Stoke-On-Trent for example - but sometimes it wasn't so obvious. Walsall was the leather trade, Willenhall for locks, Dudley was chains (I think!), Northampton was shoes ( I think!) etc etc. I guess it was down to the skills being developed and passed on within families and communities. It seems odd to think of 344 master locksmiths all in one small town, all competing with each other for national trade in a time when distribution of goods would have been possible with the railways, but still probably more difficult than it is today.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Thanks for the link (I know it wasn't for me but will be useful). My similar lock needs a new spring!

 

[dandrew]

I've used a Company called Blackstage, who you will find on the web, to repair 2 19th C rimlocks including making replacement keys. Their work is very good quality, but suffers from a lack of speed. They will give you an estimate of cost if you email them your pictures.

This is their link:
http://restorationblacksmith.co.uk/

David

 

[Flyfisher]

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. In a way I wished I hadn't posted about this now because I tend to become a bit obsessive about a new subject and can spent lots of time researching and tinkering, and locksmithing seems a perfect subject for such things, but I've already got too many projects on the go really.

Just one more question though (see, I can't resist!). I've read that oil and grease should never be used inside a lock, which surprised me somewhat. The lock in the above photos is covered with surface rust internally and is very stiff to operate. I can clean off the surface rust with fine emery cloth and/or wire brushes, but surely such mechanisms must be lubricated with something?

Candlewax perhaps?

 

[Feltwell]

I believe it's one of those topics that splits professional opinion.

Graphite is one many recommend - google graphite lock lubricant, you can buy aerosols for a few pounds on Amazon or EBay. Or you can destroy a pencil and ground that down for the graphite!