Door hardware, like other architectural details, can often help to guestimate the age of the house when its history is unknown. However, this method is only reliable when it is known with certainty that the hardware in question is original to the house. Hardware, like other details, is often subject to replacement or updates. And sometimes those replacements can be many decades newer or older than the house itself!
The following is not meant to be a comprehensive history of door hardware, but rather a general guide to some of the more common types found in North America. There are lots of gaps in the following evolution; the variety of door hardware out there is absolutely mind-numbing. For the sake of brevity, we’ll skip hinges and more obscure door hardware.
The earliest houses in the colonies used simple latches made of wood. A string, or piece of leather, passed through a hole in the door to allow operation from the other side. The string could be pulled in at night to “lock” the door. Image source: Old American Houses 1700 – 1850 by Henry Lionel Williams and Ottalie K. Williams.
Later, the same basic design was wrought of iron, but an exterior handle with thumb latch took the place of a string to lift the bar out of the catch. This hardware was often painted over even when new; it was not always meant to stand out in sharp contrast to the painted woodwork. Image source: Old American Houses 1700 – 1850 by Henry Lionel Williams and Ottalie K. Williams.
By the mid-eighteenth century, the well-to-do might have imported locks from Europe, but most people had much simpler hardware. Blacksmiths began to copy imported mechanical designs to the best of their ability. While a type of mortise lock was available, very few could afford them. Surface-mounted hardware was to remain the norm for many decades.
By the end of the eighteenth century iron latches such as this “Suffolk latch” were in common use — and remained popular into the early nineteenth century. The hammered ends (cusps) were shaped in ways which varied regionally. These spade- or heart-shaped cusps are typical of Pennsylvania. Image source: zillow.com via oldhousedreams.com
Though still in use into the 1830’s when this house was built, such door hardware was falling out of fashion. Image source: zillow.com via oldhousedreams.com
This is the latch as seen from the other side on another door in the same house as above. Image source: zillow.com via oldhousedreams.com
Though no longer fashionable for interiors, the noble Suffolk latch never truly became obsolete and new versions which are not much different from the originals (though made of stamped steel rather than hand-forged iron) are commonly used today as exterior gate hardware. Image source: menards.com
Rim locks such as this one at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest were available to the wealthy in the early nineteenth century, but most houses had far simpler hardware. This is a reproduction of the c. 1815 original. Image source: poplarforest.org
Less refined options were available. This “stop lock”, an early type of rim lock, combines manufactured metal parts mortised into a block of wood and is similar to many early European examples. I found this at a Pennsylvania flea market and would not be surprised to find that it had been made in the area. I am unsure of its age, but guess it to be made somewhere around 1820 to 1830. If anyone knows more, please let me know in a comment!
The back of the stop lock would face the door upon which it was mounted and not be visible. A screw hole in each corner of the wood block allows for attachment to a door.
This “elbow lock” probably dates to the 1830’s and could be operated by pressing on the lever which was placed on the interior side of the door. A similar outside lever with a square spindle would fit into the center hole to allow daytime operation, but was removable at night to lock the door. Because they were removable, many of these levers were lost (which is why I don’t have the one that belonged to this lock). A slide bolt at the bottom allows additional security.
The “No. 60” wrought iron rim lock patented by James Carpenter and John Young in England in 1830. This example was probably made about a decade later. Their locks were quite popular and can still be found in many American homes of the period.
The screws are also hand-made. The keyhole escutcheon still retains three of its original nails.
This transitional door lock has the shape of a rim lock but its guts are exposed (with numerous coats of paint slopped over everything). I salvaged this from a house in Baltimore, Maryland, which had been built around 1840. It was being gutted and turned into apartments; the owner had no idea what he was destroying (and couldn’t have cared less). The lock was used on a bedroom door. Sorry about the shrink-wrap, but I was too lazy to take it off and re-wrap it for the photo… it’s been this way for a few years and I don’t want to risk losing any parts!
This larger entry lock is from the front door of the same house in Baltimore.
A “mercury glass” doorknob, c. 1850’s. Though probably designed for use with a mortise lock, I don’t know for sure. Mortise locks were becoming more commonplace in the mid-nineteenth century for those who could afford them. The look of door hardware was beginning to change…
Very fun! I look forward to the next installments. It is so interesting to see those old parts when they are still in use somewhere (thanks Kelly at OHD!). The rim locks were a new discovery for me in my 20’s. Growing up in the Midwest, it was very rare to come across anything earlier than the mortise lock. I love old hardware, and don’t understand why people are not more interested (same goes for old houses. . .). A lot of time, energy and care went into making those things, especially the pre-industrialized ones. My first experience of “fancy hardware” was at a great Victorian house – the hinges and door knobs were things of beauty. I couldn’t figure out why modern counterparts were so plain!
Hardware is fun! Like you, I’m puzzled by what I perceive as indifference to all but the most elaborate designs; all the old stuff is fascinating! While in elementary school (grammar school to you Chicagoans!) I was surrounded by architecture of the 1920’s and later… all with mortise locks.
However, I had a penchant for exploring nearby houses which were older and being demolished to make way for new apartment buildings. It was in such a place that I first encountered rim locks and have been captivated by them ever since. I always look for original hardware in the houses that Kelly posts… it makes a house feel so much nicer when it is intact!
And we didn’t even get into fancy door knobs! Growing up in a 1970’s house, seeing the glass and porcelain knobs was a revelation. These things could be so cool!
These are fabulous! One of of the most cherished and yet so very simple bits in our 1852 house is the latch on the door to the basement. (see a photo here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BTH68OjBgMi/ )
We also retain about most of the original rim locks on the bedroom doors. My favorite one has this brown porcelain “Bennington” style knob (photo here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BXYKm6EBGiP/ )
We plan to (eventually) strip the paint from our doors and I look forward to the restoration of all of our locks. Unfortunately we have three doors which were drilled out for modern knobs and I will need to determine how I am going to patch them.
You are fortunate to have a lot of original hardware in your 167-year-old house! The basement door latch is wonderful (as is your newel post) and I like the layered look of history created by later, additional, hardware on the door.
The rim lock and knob are nice, too… The Bennington knob might be a “mineral” knob made of clay from the Albany, NY, region.
Since your house is an 1850’s Greek Revival, there is a very good chance that your woodwork has always been painted and was meant to be painted. I personally like the look of acquired layers of paint which builds over time, but appreciate that not everyone does.
In many Greek Revivals the woodwork is of lesser quality — and even sometimes of inconsistent types — for the simple reason that the intent was always to paint it. If you are going to strip the paint, you might want to start in an inconspicuous area such as the inside of a closet door just in case you don’t like the results.
you might find poplar or pine or something unexpected beneath the paint.
To patch holes in doors such as yours, find a hole saw that is 1/8″ larger in diameter than your hole. Then, cut a hole out of a piece of wood that is the same thickness as your door. Yes, it will have a pilot hole in the center of it, but you can fill that with wood filler or a dowel. You will probably have to tweak either the hole or the plug by sanding, but eventually you’ll get a good fit which can be glued. If the grain is going to be visible you’ll want to find a similarly-grained piece of wood. When the repair is dry, you can hit any gaps with wood filler and sand smooth when dry.
Thanks for linking to our post on the Bennington Knobs. We do try to keep them in stock, they are much sought after. We also carry a large array of door hardware beyond knobs. We have an online catalog of of our products that we are constantly adding to, it’s an ongoing endeavor.
Fascinating! I like the presentation in a timeline fashion. Ive heard of some of these, but not explained as an evolution. The partial wood mortise locks are especially interesting. I also like the idea of pulling the string back to “lock” the door. Thr hard part there is it would be easy to lock yourself out, and no key exists!
The 1895 folk Victorian I grew up in has mortise locks on the 1st floor and rim locks upstairs, I’m assuming due to them being cheaper. I have a set of circa 1910 trade school textbooks on carpentry, masonry, and electrical, and the volume on hardware has some amusingly strong language to effect of “rim locks should be used only for the cheapest of work where the buyer does not appreciate quality”
You’re correct; economic considerations had everything to do with the fairly common inclusion of both mortise locks (downstairs) and rim locks (upstairs) in many turn-of-the-century houses. I love old books such as your c. 1910 textbook which are rife with bias and distinctly un-PC verbiage because they really help to flesh out the past more colorfully than contemporary accounts! By the 1910’s many hardware catalogs had relegated rim locks to the tail end of the door hardware offerings… just barely a notch above coat hooks and the like in terms of hierarchy. Hopefully I’ll get Part Two posted some time in April!
I have several mercury door knobs from a building where FDR went to school. They were thrown in a dump and my brother took them off the doors which were eventually destroyed by burning.(such waste). I did put a photo on Ebay to see what kind of feedback I would get. 2459roger. Surprisingly there has been little feedback rendered. I cannot understand that because theses knobs are cool and unusual. I sure would like to hear your feedback on them.
Very fun! I look forward to the next installments. It is so interesting to see those old parts when they are still in use somewhere (thanks Kelly at OHD!). The rim locks were a new discovery for me in my 20’s. Growing up in the Midwest, it was very rare to come across anything earlier than the mortise lock. I love old hardware, and don’t understand why people are not more interested (same goes for old houses. . .). A lot of time, energy and care went into making those things, especially the pre-industrialized ones. My first experience of “fancy hardware” was at a great Victorian house – the hinges and door knobs were things of beauty. I couldn’t figure out why modern counterparts were so plain!
Hardware is fun! Like you, I’m puzzled by what I perceive as indifference to all but the most elaborate designs; all the old stuff is fascinating! While in elementary school (grammar school to you Chicagoans!) I was surrounded by architecture of the 1920’s and later… all with mortise locks.
However, I had a penchant for exploring nearby houses which were older and being demolished to make way for new apartment buildings. It was in such a place that I first encountered rim locks and have been captivated by them ever since. I always look for original hardware in the houses that Kelly posts… it makes a house feel so much nicer when it is intact!
And we didn’t even get into fancy door knobs! Growing up in a 1970’s house, seeing the glass and porcelain knobs was a revelation. These things could be so cool!
These are fabulous! One of of the most cherished and yet so very simple bits in our 1852 house is the latch on the door to the basement. (see a photo here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BTH68OjBgMi/ )
We also retain about most of the original rim locks on the bedroom doors. My favorite one has this brown porcelain “Bennington” style knob (photo here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BXYKm6EBGiP/ )
We plan to (eventually) strip the paint from our doors and I look forward to the restoration of all of our locks. Unfortunately we have three doors which were drilled out for modern knobs and I will need to determine how I am going to patch them.
You are fortunate to have a lot of original hardware in your 167-year-old house! The basement door latch is wonderful (as is your newel post) and I like the layered look of history created by later, additional, hardware on the door.
The rim lock and knob are nice, too… The Bennington knob might be a “mineral” knob made of clay from the Albany, NY, region.
Since your house is an 1850’s Greek Revival, there is a very good chance that your woodwork has always been painted and was meant to be painted. I personally like the look of acquired layers of paint which builds over time, but appreciate that not everyone does.
In many Greek Revivals the woodwork is of lesser quality — and even sometimes of inconsistent types — for the simple reason that the intent was always to paint it. If you are going to strip the paint, you might want to start in an inconspicuous area such as the inside of a closet door just in case you don’t like the results.
you might find poplar or pine or something unexpected beneath the paint.
To patch holes in doors such as yours, find a hole saw that is 1/8″ larger in diameter than your hole. Then, cut a hole out of a piece of wood that is the same thickness as your door. Yes, it will have a pilot hole in the center of it, but you can fill that with wood filler or a dowel. You will probably have to tweak either the hole or the plug by sanding, but eventually you’ll get a good fit which can be glued. If the grain is going to be visible you’ll want to find a similarly-grained piece of wood. When the repair is dry, you can hit any gaps with wood filler and sand smooth when dry.
Good luck!
Thanks for linking to our post on the Bennington Knobs. We do try to keep them in stock, they are much sought after. We also carry a large array of door hardware beyond knobs. We have an online catalog of of our products that we are constantly adding to, it’s an ongoing endeavor.
You’re welcome! I consigned some hardware with you about 20 years ago and was treated very well!
Fascinating! I like the presentation in a timeline fashion. Ive heard of some of these, but not explained as an evolution. The partial wood mortise locks are especially interesting. I also like the idea of pulling the string back to “lock” the door. Thr hard part there is it would be easy to lock yourself out, and no key exists!
The 1895 folk Victorian I grew up in has mortise locks on the 1st floor and rim locks upstairs, I’m assuming due to them being cheaper. I have a set of circa 1910 trade school textbooks on carpentry, masonry, and electrical, and the volume on hardware has some amusingly strong language to effect of “rim locks should be used only for the cheapest of work where the buyer does not appreciate quality”
You’re correct; economic considerations had everything to do with the fairly common inclusion of both mortise locks (downstairs) and rim locks (upstairs) in many turn-of-the-century houses. I love old books such as your c. 1910 textbook which are rife with bias and distinctly un-PC verbiage because they really help to flesh out the past more colorfully than contemporary accounts! By the 1910’s many hardware catalogs had relegated rim locks to the tail end of the door hardware offerings… just barely a notch above coat hooks and the like in terms of hierarchy. Hopefully I’ll get Part Two posted some time in April!
I have several mercury door knobs from a building where FDR went to school. They were thrown in a dump and my brother took them off the doors which were eventually destroyed by burning.(such waste). I did put a photo on Ebay to see what kind of feedback I would get. 2459roger. Surprisingly there has been little feedback rendered. I cannot understand that because theses knobs are cool and unusual. I sure would like to hear your feedback on them.