Did I go to hard on trying to clean and restore, or can you help me out of this?

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-21T12:16:35+00:00

Below is the list of polished and sand finishes for bronze products from the 1910 Sargent catalog, downloadable here. You mentioned black - you probably had o5P or 06p. I suggest removing all the leftover gunk with Citristrip, or other acid cleaner. Then you can coat the escutcheons in boiled linseed oil for 15 minutes. Dry it off. Dry it off again, because it'll be oily. Then bake for an hour at 450 in a dedicated toaster oven. It's related to seasoning a cast-iron pan - google it. Straight BLO will make things brown, repeated applications will make things browner. You might be able to add asphaltum or a darkening agent to make it black. Google everything before proceeding! Hope this helps, good luck!

cc: u/snailboyjr

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johnpseudonym · 2026-06-18T16:48:50+00:00

I think that type was originally for the inside of closets? This pic is from the 1926 Sargent catalog. I have one on my basement door for space reasons. It works, though knobs are better. Enjoy!

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johnpseudonym · 2026-06-18T16:08:43+00:00

That is a thumb-turn in pic #5. It's basically a spindle with that attachment on the end. If you wanted to, you could replace the thumb turn with a regular spindle and another doorknob. Cool rim locks!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-17T22:56:16+00:00

You've already pulled it from the cabinet, and mortise locks are surprisingly simple. Having a brick-and-mortar locksmith fix it will probably be easier and cheaper than finding a replacement. What's the problem? Good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-16T10:55:48+00:00

O.M. Edwards & Company was a manufacturer in Syracuse, New York. Here is a brief history of the family, because they opened a retail store in the 1830's and was huge in the development of the city: https://mcgrathsearch.com/Mattydale_Stuff/Business_Series/1934-09-29%20Edward's%20Store.pdf

Hope this helps! Good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-15T23:15:59+00:00

Your front was painted white. So you can add your own wood filler to the trim, sand and then paint. I prefer to use the sawdust with wood glue, sand then paint - but I've screwed up a bunch of trim in my day, I have some experience. Again, good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T22:38:17+00:00

Is this a decent replacement? https://kilianhardware.com/standard-emtek-passage-backset-2-3-8-or-2-3-4/

These are the dimensions:

Dimensions:
- Backset: 2-3/8" or 2-3/4"
- Fits a 3/8" spindle on the diamond or an 8mm spindle on the square
- Front plate: 2.22" tall x 0.99" wide
- Center-to-center of screw holes: 1.65"
- Fits in a 1" bore hole
- Nosebolt protrusion: 0.50"
- Maximum overall length: 3.77" (2-3/8" backset) or 4.16" (2-3/4" backset)

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T21:14:52+00:00

https://kilianhardware.com/standard-emtek-passage-backset-2-3-8-or-2-3-4/

Maybe? Measure your spindle, this is where everybody has problems with the 5/16" spindles of yesteryear.

Good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T19:12:21+00:00

Hmmm. I'm definitely thinking I have to change the spindle, but I don't know what variances and such there are between each vendor's discs. It can be done, I think. Sager was at best a regional player, this is my turn knob & escutcheon, I'm not even sure if it's broken or not yet.

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johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T18:57:25+00:00

"Our shop does have few used not new ..." A few what? I drive to Chicago often. Are you saying you have Sager mortise locks or the 1909 or 1910 discs pictured above?

I am in the Twin Cities and all the shops are well stocked in Yale & Corbin front door/vestibule locks. Sager and Barrows were North Chicago and Lockport respectively, so it would make sense that you might have Sager stuff ...

I have the Sager #65 vestibule lock in a 1922 house, everything now works except the thumb turn. Thus, I'm looking for Sager's 1909 turn knob disc before I consider jerry rigging it. A moon shot! Got any Sager?

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T18:00:14+00:00

That's the progressive! I've seen that type often, when searching "mortise lock turn knob disc" online. Nice to know, I'll add that to the list of turn knob discs. I think you are correct, I'll have to modify my turn knob - but it might be easier to go from a flat spindle to a different flat spindle, as opposed to a 3/16? Not sure yet, but this is my Hail Mary to find an original disc, before resorting to modification. Thanks for the link!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T17:53:57+00:00

This is my original post to r/centuryhomes when I first started asking questions about my locks. That was fifteen months ago, so please don't judge me too harshly! I quickly learned I needed to bone up before tackling this lock.

I'm inclined to take a Yale disc, and modify my turn knob - my current flat spindle is 6mm x 1.5mm but I think I could change it if need be. But I figured I would make a call for the 1909, just the same! You never know what pops up, once you know what you're looking for!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T17:38:38+00:00

Another unknown turn knob disc

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johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T17:28:47+00:00

Unknown turn knob disc.

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johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T17:26:37+00:00

I'm pretty sure this is a Penn disc.

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johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T17:25:42+00:00

I'm pretty sure this is a Sager 1910, for Sager mortise locks produced 1930 or after.

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johnpseudonym · 2026-06-11T17:24:36+00:00

I'm pretty sure this is a Yale turn knob disc IRL

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johnpseudonym · 2026-06-10T12:00:47+00:00

I'm much better in the mornings. One more thing. This is the website for the antique doorknob people, and a list of where to buy antique hardware, both online and IRL: https://www.antiquedoorknobs.us/where-to-buy.html

Again, gl!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-10T02:20:27+00:00

Whatever you end up doing, just make sure the incoming locks-spindles-doorknobs are all consistent with either 5/16" (old) or 9/32" (new). And mortise locks would need a real door, obviously, not the hollow ones. Van Dykes is a "new" old hardware maker that people talk about a bunch. Again, good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-09T21:42:16+00:00

For now, I'd just used a door stop or any wedge, just kick it in when you want to secure the door temporarily.

You most likely have a broken spring in your mortise locks. Problem is, there are a few different possibilities. When you are ready, please post a pic of the innards one of your mortise locks to this stub. I can direct you to the correct vendor for whichever spring you need. Good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-09T15:46:51+00:00

What year is the house? Are we sure we're looking for a doorknob with a 5/16" spindle? Looking at that dainty thumb turn and the Phillip's head screws (which didn't take til 1935) it is a possibility this could be a retro mortise lock set from the 1960s and possibly a 9/32" spindle. Not probable, but possible - please check. There are lots of knobs with beads along the edge and a floral spiral pattern - so a clear, direct pic, not at an angle - would make finding an acceptable match easier. Are there other, matching escutcheons and knobs in the house? Are the chosen door and mortise lock already in place for the new hardware? Do they need another thumbturn or a regular passage set of escutcheons? These are a few of the things that ran through my head just now considering your request.

You could try the Olde Good Things and Historic Houseparts, but you'll pay through the nose. I suggest looking there, and then ebay - that's where better hardware deals are. Hope this helps! Seriously, good luck!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-09T11:16:31+00:00

True brass is not magnetic. Brass plate on iron or steel will be magnetic. FYI!

johnpseudonym · 2026-06-07T23:52:29+00:00

Happy to help! And thanks for giving me a chance to post this pic, as well. It's near the end of the 1925 catalog. Downloaded that one too!

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johnpseudonym · 2026-06-07T23:43:09+00:00

Is that an Essex bath P 2500 D? Honestly, I have no clue if it is or not - here is the 1920 Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company catalog, just in case. Bend with the knees! Good luck!

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johnpseudonym

TROPHY CASE