Replacing lock on 1930s door.

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pr1970ster

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We have an old 1930s house with the original lock and would like to update it for something more secure.
Is there anything that could go straight in to this without looking a mess, would be nice to keep the brass fittings.
it has an 40mm Backset Size. fore end length is about 100mm. It does have this offset turn handle to open the door from the inside which i think is the issue trying to find anything that would fit.
thanks
doorlock2.jpg doorlock3.jpg doorlock1.jpg
 
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pr1970ster said:
anything that would fit.
Click to expand...

I've got a couple of them, the oldest being from 1910.

You have negligible chance of buying a new one to fit (unless from a collector like me) and it doesn't meet the British Standard.

You're going to need a new BS lock, and it won't fit your existing mortice.

It is a deadlockable latch, IIRC Erebus made one of that pattern up to about 1970. Other deadlockable mortice latches were, and are, available, but I don't know of one that meets the BS. The method of operation is very convenient. There are plenty of BS nightlatches, but they are surface-mounted and a bit big.

by chance I also have some NOS 3G220's available at about half list price. It is however a deadlock and does not have a latching function.

I replaced mine with a 3R35, which is an excellent, expensive lock, a deadlockable latch used in the same way, but bigger, and does not meet the BS. My insurance company agreed to accept it, though.
 
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Brass finger-plate (or stainless, depending on your other fittings)

PVD doesn't seem to tarnish.

p.s.
Won't a 60mm nightlatch fit? That one is hugely expensive and doesn't meet the British Standard.
 
JohnD said:
Brass finger-plate (or stainless, depending on your other fittings)

PVD doesn't seem to tarnish.

p.s.
Won't a 60mm nightlatch fit? That one is hugely expensive and doesn't meet the British Standard.
Click to expand...

Ah, I was going to get that one as it looked quite straight forward to install and the existing key hole matches. Didnt realise it wasnt british standard.
Any suggestions? The key hole is 40mm in from the edge of the door and the frame fitting was just the right width to fit ours.
 
PR,
Possibly a stupid point, but is that your letterbox right next to where you are going to put your nightlatch.
Would a slim hand+arm or bent wire through this letterbox be able to open your door if you use a nightlatch next to your letterbox?
Just to be considered before you install as this is a common access method.
SFK
 
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SFK said:
PR,
Possibly a stupid point, but is that your letterbox right next to where you are going to put your nightlatch.
Would a slim hand+arm or bent wire through this letterbox be able to open your door if you use a nightlatch next to your letterbox?
Just to be considered before you install.
SFK
Click to expand...

I`ll check that thanks. There is another lock further down the door but rarely use it , more of use for when we go away.
 
SFK said:
PR,
Possibly a stupid point, but is that your letterbox right next to where you are going to put your nightlatch.
Would a slim hand+arm or bent wire through this letterbox be able to open your door if you use a nightlatch next to your letterbox?
Just to be considered before you install as this is a common access method.
SFK
Click to expand...

I checked this and yes its a issue, something you cant do with the current turn knob , but with a latch could probably unlatch the door. thanks for pointing that out.

Sooo.. Any other solutions or shall i just carry on with what i`ve got and double lock the door when we can be bothered?
 
the new latch doesn't have to go where the old one is. Put it as far as you can from the letterbox. But a simple home-made burglary tool can be bent to shape to reach a few feet. You can also get internal letter cages or boxes to go on the inside of the door, or a metal hood that is supposed to make access difficult, and looks neater.

in my case, to minimise the risk, I put the letterbox beside the door (on the hinge side) rather than in the door.

There are a few latches found, with a round knob and protective collar, to resist this kind of attack. The 4L67E is good, but very expensive.

A cheaper alternative is to deadlock the knob or handle when you go out. Sometimes a snib button on the inside will do it. I don't pay enough attention to nightlatches to know the ones currently on the market. Will post again if I spot one.
 
ah, they call it a visor.

The "Imperial" one looks good

s-l225.jpg


or there are simpler ones
s-l225.jpg


At my commercial premises we have one of these on the inside of the door over the letter slot, because it is fitted with panic bars that are very easy to trick open. I found out the smokers had been letting themselves in through the side door like that after nipping out for a fag.

s-l225.jpg
 
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Thanks but i`d rather not go that route, trying to keep the front door looking nice as its an original door so the less add ons the better really. any other options using the existing lock arrangement?
 
the letterplate is really, really badly positioned on that door.

I wonder if you could block it off and put one elsewhere?

A fingerplate (maybe a black one to suit your door other furniture) could conceal it, since I guess it would be very difficult to insert a good match of timber.

Now I see the letterplate is vertical, the things I showed would not be a good match.

I think I see a side window to the hinge side. Can you show us that wall, inside and out?

Mine has sidelights and I've put the letterplate in its central board, on the hinge side.
 
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