1928 Essex Locking Door Handle

ensignman

Hi All,

I recently purchased a locking door handle of the correct pattern for my 1928 Essex.

The cylinder seems to be seized in the handle, IE the cylinder lock will not turn despite a good soaking for several weeks in penetration oil.

My locksmith has told me he can cut a key but the cylinder must turn.

Does anyone have any experience of how to strip these handles down, the none locking ones are easy however with the locking handle the spring retainer

will not pass over the locking mechanism? 

Jon B

Hang in there....I'm sure Geoff Clark will have an answer for you!

ESSX28-1

I have never managed to free a seized barrel in a 28 Essex key.. I have seen them drilled out but then one needs a new barrel which as Geoff says is made from unobtainium!! Locking handles for 28 Essex come up on eBay periodically, my 1st question is" is the barrel free?"

Dave Young (28 Essex Coupe x 2)
New Zealand

ESSX28-1

Whoops - typo

 Should have typed 'handle' but mistyped & put down 'key'

ensignman

The inside of the cylinder lock seems to be free, if you insert a small screw driver the spring "blocks" which allow a key to be inserted move freely, it's the barrel itself that does not turn in either direction within the handle.

I am sure the outer pressed cover of the handle can be removed by levering it open down the swage line around its perimeter, however I was hoping to avoid that as the locking handle appears to be more difficult to open than the non locking type which I have done.  

ESSX28-1

The barrel is made from the dreaded 'die cast' which swells!!

ensignman

I took the handle apart today.

As soon as I took off the outer pressed Nickle handle cover it became apparent the Dave Y was correct.

The Die Cast was swollen and had split in two which meant having to drill it out.

Does anyone know if cylinder locks of the correct type can be obtained, or is it the case of waiting for one to come up on ebay or forget this handle altogether and keep for spares? 

There seems to be a number stamped on the cylinder HM263?

Ric West IN

That is the original key # used by locksmith to duplicate the original key.  Probably not useful now as

cylinder/tumbler assembly no longer useable.

Rocket

The best person that I have found for lock cylinders for doors is on eBay you can find him under Hudson parts his eBay name is Auto nut 2

ESSX28-1

You find at least 2 different 28 Essex Locking door handles on eBay. The more commonly found is an aftermarket type where both the handle & the escutcheon are cast solid as distinct from the pressed & stamped construction of the original.
I much prefer the locking mechanism used in the the original handles if you can find a working one as the solid cast handles use a proprietary lock that is much more difficult to use. But both types do work.
Good luck in your search.

ensignman

Thank you all for your help and advice!

Ensignman

Geoff

There's one on ebay right now!

ensignman

Thanks Geoff,

I saw it and have bid, keep your fingers crossed!

ESSX28-1

You got as the only bidder. Good luck with it.
A little powdered graphite sprayed down the key slot & the outside of the barrel in the hole will help it last  as well as reducing strain on 88 year old die cast. I've had them split on me whilst in use!!!

ensignman

Thanks Essx28-1, I will try the locksmiths for the graphite. I probably paid over the odds for that handle so lets hope its ok.

ensignman

My New handle arrived today!

I am very pleased to have a working lockable handle, it cleaned up nice too!

ESSX28-1

Sounds good. I hope you get long service from it!!
D