Residential & Commercial Security - Locks, Keys & Dead Bolts - Replace reproduction mortise lock w/ something more secure?
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JasonE
09-12-05, 09:28 AM
Hello all,
I just moved into a new apartment. It's in an old building and all of the interior doors have the original (old) mortise locks with skeleton keys.
One door, the door out into the main hallway, has a reproduction lock on it (my guess is that at some point along the line the original lock on that door stopped working and, seeing as how it's the main door in, they had to replace the lock.
I've actually been able to find the exact lockset they used - it's here: http://hardware.hardwarestore.com/29-138-mortise-locksets/mortise-lock-kit-223628.aspx
The problem is, there's only one key with this lock (and it's a skeleton key at that). We're using this as our main entrance (previous tenants had used another door, which has a deadbolt, as their main entrance, but since that door leads into the room we're using as a bedroom, we want to use the other door).
What I'd really like to do is replace this existing lockset with one that *looks* the same, but has a real modern key (not a skeleton key). I'm having trouble finding anything that will work, though.
I'm not a locksmith and have never worked with mortise locks before, so I'm quite confused about the options. Can anyone out there help with some recommendations of products that might just fit everything together? I don't have the skills or equipment to mortise a new hole (especially since it's a 100-year-old victorian wood door!) and need something that will just fit into the existing mortise.
Thanks,
Jason
I just moved into a new apartment. It's in an old building and all of the interior doors have the original (old) mortise locks with skeleton keys.
One door, the door out into the main hallway, has a reproduction lock on it (my guess is that at some point along the line the original lock on that door stopped working and, seeing as how it's the main door in, they had to replace the lock.
I've actually been able to find the exact lockset they used - it's here: http://hardware.hardwarestore.com/29-138-mortise-locksets/mortise-lock-kit-223628.aspx
The problem is, there's only one key with this lock (and it's a skeleton key at that). We're using this as our main entrance (previous tenants had used another door, which has a deadbolt, as their main entrance, but since that door leads into the room we're using as a bedroom, we want to use the other door).
What I'd really like to do is replace this existing lockset with one that *looks* the same, but has a real modern key (not a skeleton key). I'm having trouble finding anything that will work, though.
I'm not a locksmith and have never worked with mortise locks before, so I'm quite confused about the options. Can anyone out there help with some recommendations of products that might just fit everything together? I don't have the skills or equipment to mortise a new hole (especially since it's a 100-year-old victorian wood door!) and need something that will just fit into the existing mortise.
Thanks,
Jason
schiejr
09-13-05, 06:11 AM
Welcome to the forums, JasonE. Thanks for the link to your present lock. I am not sure if any company makes a modern secure lock to retrofit that size of lock. Looks like it is a smaller size, around 5" tall or so on the edge of the door?
Most of the modern locks, which can be dressed up with antique escutcheons and handles, are larger and would require cutting the door larger. This is usually fine, as long as the new parts cover the old holes. Contacting some of the antique/reproduction hardware dealers on the net may get you something that would work with the holes you have and allow the use of a mortise cylinder which would take care of your security requirements.
Most of the modern locks, which can be dressed up with antique escutcheons and handles, are larger and would require cutting the door larger. This is usually fine, as long as the new parts cover the old holes. Contacting some of the antique/reproduction hardware dealers on the net may get you something that would work with the holes you have and allow the use of a mortise cylinder which would take care of your security requirements.