How To Replace Old Style Skeleton Key Front Door Lock

You can also just replace the skeleton key locks as they are old and not secure.

How to replace old style skeleton key front door lock.

There is a trick however to remove skeleton key locks and. Fortunately most american and western european pieces made from the 18th through the early 20th centuries are fairly simple to work with. The reason we call them skeleton key type locks is because they use that old fashioned skeleton keys you see on older homes. And most likely one key is all you ll need because interior doors on old houses typically share identical locks.

The vintage or antique style hardware. How to find a skeleton key for your old lock. Ultra security 44609 old time mortise lock with skeleton key brass plated finish replaces most mortise interior locks from the early 1900 s 3 8 out of 5 stars 77 15 67 15. Bring the armoire to a locksmith who specializes in antiques if the skeleton key doesn t open it.

Here s the difference from a skeleton key mortise box compared to a regular or standard door preparation like today s doors. We have an old house too and a few years back the truevalue hardware down the street had 2 packs of skeleton type keys two different styles that both worked in all our locks. Most hardware stores or even big home improvement stores likely sell replacement keys. You may even be able to gain access easily using only common household items.

The first step is to remove one of the locks and take it in to an antiques store or a locksmith that has a collection of old bit keys often called skeleton keys. According to the old house guru i spoke to there are 3 skeleton keys that account for about 90 of interior door locks no such luck with exterior locks btw. You do this by removing the internal lock and taking it to the locksmith and a reproduction can be made. In order to have a skeleton key made you need to be able to remove one of the skeleton key locks.