I have a townhouse unit with a very old door knob / deadbolt set that I want to replace because the key doesn't fit well and you have to know how to "jiggle" it in order to get the door to unlock. Unit is probably over 60 years old.
I can't replace it with a standard knob/deadbolt set because the holes existing holes would overlap too much with where the new holes would need to be drilled. And if I made the new holes above/below the current location, i would still need to patch the existing holes (and i want to avoid doing that).
I also thought of buying a new door, but the slab isn't a standard size and the door frame is not level. One side of the door is a fraction of an inch higher than the other. Same for the width.
So before considering any of the other options, I wanted to know if anyone knows where I could possibly look for an old doorknob/deadbolt that would fit the existing one that I have. Attached are photos of the door.
Best Answer
This style lockset is known as a mortise lockset.
Dis-assembly and cleaning won't hurt.
While you've got it apart, print the Baldwin diagram below, and note your dimensional differences. Some will be critical (holes for knob and deadbolt), others may be compensated for by strike plate adjustment or wooden block supports (under a shorter mortise body).
Backset (the distance from the door edge to the center of the knob) is a critical dimension that will determine what replacements are available. Modern backsets are usually 2 3/8", many older mortises are 2 1/8 and 2 (the new one below is 2.5)
This page lists some Baldwin mortises, they cover a range of backsets and door thicknesses. Googling "mortise locksets" will net you many choices.