Large Ornate Entry Mortise Lock by Russell & Erwin

This is the most magnificent antique mortise lock I have ever seen! Being extremely large, it undoubtedly graced the front door of a stately Victorian mansion and can now be yours! To give you an idea of the size I’ve taken a photo of this lock with a standard sized mortise lock on top. Amazing, isn’t it?

Russell & Erwin is renowned for their artistic bronze hardware.  Many of their designs were patented and the fantastic ornamentation on this lock has many of the design elements of those pieces. There is a patent date of 2/23/1869 on the back of the lock face (not for the fancy designs) and a patent date of 4/28/186? on the lock body. This lock is shown in their 1887 hardware catalog but may have been manufactured earlier.

This lock has been carefully cleaned to ensure that all parts are working while retaining the original patina to the lock face (No small task!). Attesting to the high quality of this lock all interior parts, with the exception of springs, are bronze. The lock is not reversible and is for a left hand door only. See FAQ to determine the “hand” of your door. The door locks by either throwing the deadbolt or engaging the finger lock on the front. When the finger lock is engaged the doorknob on the inside rotates but the outside doorknob is fixed. To release from the outside, a skeleton key is needed. For this function to work a split spindle is required. The spindle needs to be 3/8” against the cam.

There are no keys with this lock but I guarantee that with the proper keys all functions will work.  I can include a copy of the catalog page that shows the keys if the buyer feels it would be helpful.  Just ask.

Go to Helpful Information for instructions on measuring and installing a mortise lock!

Backset: 3-1/4”
Center of doorknob to center of round portion of top keyhole 2-5/16”
Center of doorknob to center of round portion of bottom keyhole 4-1/8”
Casing: 4-1/8” wide x 6-3/8” high x 11/16” thick
Faceplate: 1-1/4” wide x 9-3/16” high x 3/16” thick