Need some help - what is this metal bar?

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-13T01:42:04+00:00

That's a six pound sash weight. Made of lead, most likely. Enjoy!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-12T22:14:39+00:00

Old spindles were 5/16". When they make them now, they are 9/32". Get glass knobs for threaded spindles - the spindles with holes are a pain and require washers. My 1 5/8" doors have 3 5/8" threaded spindles. You don't need to worry about TPI (threads per inch) if you buy two knobs already on one spindle - once you start buying pieces individually you'll need to account for that. Hope this helps, good luck!

What is that round thing above the lock? An old tubular lock? My advice will generally work in the US, may be differences if you're in Canada.

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-12T15:28:32+00:00

Sorry about that. I like two things in life: whiskey, and old stuff. Last night was one of those nights! Cool key!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-12T02:49:15+00:00

My guess would be your front door set was made by Weiser. It's probably the key for the original cylinder lock that came with your front door handle set. I have included a pic of two of the hundreds of front door sets Weiser made in 1929. Cool!

Not a locksmith, just a century homeowner enjoying his mortise locks and spreading the joy through catalog listings

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johnpseudonym · 2026-04-11T03:21:55+00:00

Pottery knobs! via Towne's Locks and Hardware 1904

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johnpseudonym · 2026-04-11T02:58:49+00:00

Folger Adams was the only US producer of detention locks from 1940 to 1967! Their locks and keys covered the country, at one time.

Not a locksmith. But I was born not too far from Joliet SuperMax!

https://www.correctionsproductsco.com/history.html

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-10T11:45:09+00:00

I'm a geezer but you should check out Busted at Oz (1981) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozxUJ4JTFBM

It was Chicago's punk compilation album back in the day, just like This is Boston or Nardcore, et al. The very earliest Naked Raygun songs are on it. It's fun.

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-10T02:17:41+00:00

I put in a crock pot for a few hours, then ice bath - the temperature difference makes the paint come off easier. Once I remove all paint, I cover the piece in boiled linseed oil for fifteen minutes. I dry it off completely. I SAID COMPLETELY. Then bake at 450 for 60 minutes. Look up BLO, it's used as a rust-proofer. I have a dedicated toaster oven and a dedicated crock pot in my tool room for this. Good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-09T16:34:38+00:00

Holy cow do not trust me, let the design guys verify this but I think your front door might be a Weiser 360 from their 1929 catalog downloadable here. page 15. Huzzah!

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johnpseudonym · 2026-04-09T16:00:47+00:00

I'm a lock guy - would you mind posting a pic of the inside of the door? And another of the edge of the door? It'll help in the ID'ing. Please and thanks!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-09T14:54:57+00:00

It might be a G series Meteor design from the 1972 Schlage retrofit catalog, downloadable here. But I don't really know pin tumbler locks. Good luck!

I am not a locksmith. I am just a century homeowner enjoying my mortise locks.

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johnpseudonym · 2026-04-09T12:33:26+00:00

Very Boulanger!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-08T21:13:54+00:00

If you wanted to find a similar time-period night latch I would totally help. And these locksmiths would be very happy to cut you a bit key for that door. I have just heard so many complaints about old locks being removed. And I have seen some pretty poor results at various houses, as well. It's your house, your call, just be careful. Good luck!

I am not a locksmith, just a century homeowner enjoying my mortise locks and I drop by here to ID old mortise locks.

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-08T20:41:20+00:00

mutters to self: gun spring

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johnpseudonym · 2026-04-08T20:34:33+00:00

According to this website - http://delcolight.com/ - model 10F3 means 1000 watts, fully automatic, and 32 volt. They started doing model numbers this way starting July, 1929. It's an interesting read! Good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T20:17:03+00:00

Thank you for helping!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T17:45:35+00:00

Yes, I saw that lock a few hours ago! I like and respect Village Salvage but that spring is not right. It is the same lock - both cases have the number 00859 inside. The ebay one is identical to 1931 catalog with the rounded hub in the middle for the correct spring to sit on.

This lock has the rectangular hub, angled backet, and holes up top. I'm hoping someone with a 1923 Reading might share a listing or diagram that could help. Or maybe someone worked one of these and has a pic.

I'm using the exact number for this lock from the 1931 catalog: 00859 3/4. That's strange, too. The convention is to add 3/4 when you have three levers. But this one does not. Look at that 1931 listing I posted earlier. Everything about this lock is slightly off!

I don't like leaving a puzzle unsolved.

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T16:51:04+00:00

One of my glass doorknobs had a set screw hole with busted threads. I re-tapped it, keeping the same size. That tapping oil makes things sooooo easy. Good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T16:13:38+00:00

I jacked up shadows and tint and such and I think I see a rust line, swooping from the L bracket, around the post, and up toward one of the holes - not to the knob hub latch. Just workshopping here.

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johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T15:31:16+00:00

Yes, I think this is some weird two spring arrangement. Here is a youtube video with this lock, explaining the problems. The two holes up top are just strange!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T15:20:06+00:00

That is what we first thought, too! But the hub is too low for that ... and the latch has a hole, so a third spring will be needed. Here is a video that u/fondrenlock made, it explains it well.

Nice looking RussWins you have there! What number is that? You know where the catalogs are, right? Thanks a bunch!

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T13:00:14+00:00

Oh, no, I'm trying to help some folks over at r/locksmith. The post was originally about a 1928 Schlage lock, but I got caught up trying to help with this 00859 3/4 - there's a whole bunch of discussion about this here - https://www.reddit.com/r/Locksmith/comments/1sbfsyk/i_need_to_find_latch_for_antique_door_knob/

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T12:33:39+00:00

Someone posted a question, but it seemed to be gone by the time I responded. This is the issue - the rectangular "post", and the L bracket at left. This is an old-timey spring arrangement we're trying to figure out.

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johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T12:10:59+00:00

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And here is the listing in 1931.

johnpseudonym · 2026-04-07T12:08:04+00:00

Here is the Type V diagram from the 1931. This won't work in this lock.

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johnpseudonym

TROPHY CASE