[dbhome98]

The interior doors in my home (circa 1895) have knobs & mortise locks that are generally easy to remove, but one knob set I can't figure out. There are no visible screws, and the usual advice (remove the trim piece to reveal hidden screws) doesn't apply because there is no trim piece that can be removed prior removing to the knobs.

The knob has a tiny round hole, but when I stick a nail into it, nothing moves.

I tried removing the rectangular trim, but it won't come off because the knob prevents it from moving (catch-22).

As you can see, the mortise lock has no latch, just a hole where the latch is. (My goal is to remove & service the mortise.) The two doorknobs are definitely attached to each other -- they spin together 360 degrees with nothing stopping them -- so I can't pull the mortise out unless I remove the knobs first.

Any advice? Thank you!

 

[Windows on Wash]

When you rotate the handle, is that hole still solid? There is probably some sort of detent to release the handles.

 

[sixeightten]

When you rotate the handle, is that hole still solid? There is probably some sort of detent to release the handles.

I believe this is it. Us a skinny nail to depress the inner part through that small hole, and pull the doorknob.

 

[de-nagorg]

They are correct, either turning the knob a bit to get to the release position, or pushing in the catch, and pulling on the knob, through the nail hole, will release it.

ED

 

[dbhome98]

Yes, when I rotate the handle, the hole is still solid (it rotates with the knob). If it's a detent to release the handle, then maybe something isn't lined up.

 

[dbhome98]

Tried a skinny nail in the hole. No movement. Rotating the knob has no effect -- the hole just rotates with it.

 

[Nealtw]

Are you sure it isn't a fake antique? Have you tried just unscrewing the escutcheons and see if it comes apart?

 

[de-nagorg]

Does it push in and rotate a quarter turn to lock?

Try that and you might find a place to depress through the hole.

Some quality ones were that type.


ED

 

[Windows on Wash]

Are you sure it isn't a fake antique? Have you tried just unscrewing the escutcheons and see if it comes apart?

Mentions that it won't come off in the first post.

 

[AllanJ]

Using only moderate force, can you hold one knob and unscrew the other "from the common shaft"?

 

[dbhome98]

AllanJ: No, I've tried but nothing moves.

 

[zircon]

That hole has to be the means to release the knob. Typically that hole is facing toward the floor but because some of the innards of the lock are missing it can face up.
Try putting the nail in again and probe for the release when the nail is between 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock. Also if there is any in and out play in the knob, probe in both positions.
A beautiful home by the way.

 

[Nealtw]

Is there a slot on the opposite side from the hole?

 

[dbhome98]

Thanks zircon. I tried what you said, but rotating the knob does not change the hole in any way. Whatever is at the bottom of the hole is turning together with the doorknobs.

Also there's no in/out play in the knob.

 

[dbhome98]

Nealtw: No, there is nothing on the opposite side from the hole. There is no opening anywhere else on the door knobs.

 

[Nealtw]

Nealtw: No, there is nothing on the opposite side from the hole. There is no opening anywhere else on the door knobs.

Can you see the shaft by looking in the hole where he latch should be.
Is the shaft the normal square one or is it some other shape.

 

[dbhome98]

Got it!!! I placed a clamp on the "neck" of the knob:

turned the knob hard, and it moved and began to unscrew:

After about 10 minutes (no kidding) of unscrewing:

the knobs are off!

Thank you everyone for your help & ideas.

 

[Georgedennis8]

The interior doors in my home (circa 1895) have knobs & mortise locks that are generally easy to remove, but one knob set I can't figure out. There are no visible screws, and the usual advice (remove the trim piece to reveal hidden screws) doesn't apply because there is no trim piece that can be removed prior removing to the knobs.

The knob has a tiny round hole, but when I stick a nail into it, nothing moves.

View attachment 596011

I tried removing the rectangular trim, but it won't come off because the knob prevents it from moving (catch-22).

View attachment 596019

As you can see, the mortise lock has no latch, just a hole where the latch is. (My goal is to remove & service the mortise.) The two doorknobs are definitely attached to each other -- they spin together 360 degrees with nothing stopping them -- so I can't pull the mortise out unless I remove the knobs first.

View attachment 596021

Any advice? Thank you!

Actually it turned out pretty simple. I cut a three-quarter inch copper pipe about 3/4 of an inch long and cut one side. I wrapped it around the door knob and put a vise grip on it to keep the base grip for making marks on the brass door knob. Once I had that secure the door knob unscrewed. I did spray a little bit of penetrating oil in the hole to make it go over easier once the handlebars unscrewed the whole thing came apart like it should and you can take the lock out. Hope that helps