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Is it possible to use vintage/antique door knob plate with modern door knob?

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peterp1

Addicted Member
This may be a tough question, but I'm interested in using a vintage door knob plate like the one pictured below with a modern knob. This is for my basement where everything is vintage, so I'd like the door to match.

Ideally, I'd like to use the plate below -- and maybe buy both a stainless and brass version of the same door knob. I'd use the stainless modern look on the outside to match the rest of the house, and use a brass version of the same knob on the inside, with the antique plate, to match the basement.

Currently I'm not sure if there are any modern knobs I can buy that will fit since the collars of the modern knobs don't typically seem to be removable:

s-l1600.jpg
 
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Not sure how you would. This would have been used with a mortise type lockset. The guts go into a cavity chiseled into the door and the knobs sit on a threaded square shaft that passes through it. The knobs usually have a set screw to lock it in position once you get them in far enough for proper clearance.

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different trim plates but same sort of mechanism.

Modern stuff uses a hole bored through the door and a much larger round shaft that the knob sits on. This plate wouldn't cover the hole in the door or fit over the shaft out of the lockset.

I think if you want to use this, you need the old type.
 
 
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Thanks for all the feedback.

The lock in the doorplate will be "faux" (save for the eyeball :).

I'd like to use a genuine antique plate rather than a modern antique style plate just because most of what I have is legit antique and the real deal, and vintage door plates are readily available (if they can be made to work).

70's Rockfan said:
something like this might work for you.


if not , I dont think it would be to hard to modify the collar on that plate.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I can't quite tell from the listing whether these can be used with a modern door handle internals. I asked a question on the Amazon listing and the AI answer is below -- so hopefully they do work.


Answer from Amazon Listing AI:

Question: Do these knobs work with modern door handles that don't have a lock?

Yes! The newliplace Vintage Antique Brass Door Knob Set works perfectly with modern door handles that don't have locks. These are designed as passage knobs - meaning they turn freely without any locking mechanism.

Perfect for non-locking applications:
  • Interior doors between rooms
  • Closet doors
  • Bathroom doors without privacy locks
  • Any door where you just need to turn and open
 
peterp1 said:
This may be a tough question, but I'm interested in using a vintage door knob plate like the one pictured below with a modern knob. This is for my basement where everything is vintage, so I'd like the door to match.

Ideally, I'd like to use the plate below -- and maybe buy both a stainless and brass version of the same door knob. I'd use the stainless modern look on the outside to match the rest of the house, and use a brass version of the same knob on the inside, with the antique plate, to match the basement.

Currently I'm not sure if there are any modern knobs I can buy that will fit since the collars of the modern knobs don't typically seem to be removable:

s-l1600.jpg
Click to expand...
My house was built in 1940. I completely understand what Gadget said - I have that lock inset in my front door but may I ask a question? Do you need the skeleton key to work? If not you could probably put this anywhere in my house, all our interior doors have the skeleton key thing. You could drill out the area where the key would go in to make it look functional. The way I look at it - it is just a plate. A beautiful plate at that. Not sure what your current door looks like but this plate should cover most anything.
 
peterp1 said:
Thanks for all the feedback.

The lock in the doorplate will be "faux" (save for the eyeball :).

I'd like to use a genuine antique plate rather than a modern antique style plate just because most of what I have is legit antique and the real deal, and vintage door plates are readily available (if they can be made to work).



Thanks. I can't quite tell from the listing whether these can be used with a modern door handle internals. I asked a question on the Amazon listing and the AI answer is below -- so hopefully they do work.
Click to expand...

Contemporary door handle latch assemblies seem to have a different kind of shaft arrangement many are a semi-circular arrangement. I've seen modern drillable door handle latches that have the older square shaft fittings. (I think I have one in a parts box somewhere). I suspect you could find some on eBay.... it might take a while. I eventually found a NIB locking screen door handle/latch for a 1930's unit in my house that broke one irreplaceable spring. There's a lot of old hardware out there.
 
Scott75s1974 said:
Contemporary door handle latch assemblies seem to have a different kind of shaft arrangement many are a semi-circular arrangement. I've seen modern drillable door handle latches that have the older square shaft fittings. (I think I have one in a parts box somewhere). I suspect you could find some on eBay.... it might take a while. I eventually found a NIB locking screen door handle/latch for a 1930's unit in my house that broke one irreplaceable spring. There's a lot of old hardware out there.
Click to expand...
So here’s a picture of my front door, an interior door, and a new lock set on my garage entry door. I don’t want to take my doors apart today cause it’s -20 F but I think I could transfer that new lock set to the old ones. The trickiest part is going to be the thickness/length of the new shaft versus the old one, that’s what I see as the biggest potential obstacle. But I also know when it comes to R&D, you don’t know until you know.
 

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Scott75s1974 said:
Contemporary door handle latch assemblies seem to have a different kind of shaft arrangement many are a semi-circular arrangement. I've seen modern drillable door handle latches that have the older square shaft fittings. (I think I have one in a parts box somewhere). I suspect you could find some on eBay.... it might take a while. I eventually found a NIB locking screen door handle/latch for a 1930's unit in my house that broke one irreplaceable spring. There's a lot of old hardware out there.
Click to expand...
Correction: that's not true. There seem to be some contemporary brands of door knobs/latches that use that larger 1/4-5/16 square shaft.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. I've ordered the vintage style knob set from Amazon -- no idea whether it can be made to work. I'll pull apart the existing handle once it arrives. It's showing a Thursday delivery instead the normal 2-day Prime shipping -- I assume because of the weather.
 
peterp1 said:
Thanks for all the feedback. I've ordered the vintage style knob set from Amazon -- no idea whether it can be made to work. I'll pull apart the existing handle once it arrives. It's showing a Thursday delivery instead the normal 2-day Prime shipping -- I assume because of the weather.
Click to expand...
Inquiring minds want to know- how did this turn out? I may run into similar someday.
 
Lux Man said:
Inquiring minds want to know- how did this turn out? I may run into similar someday.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I haven't had time to work on this further. I did get the retro knobs from Amazon. I also bought some vintage art deco door plates that are really cool and unique, but it turns out the hole is much smaller than for a standard knob (I kind feel like the listing intentionally left off dimensions or a ruler in the photos to hide that these are for much smaller knobs -- I have no idea what they are for -- but they are cool enough that I'll eventually find a use for them). I just haven't had time to work on it. I'm busy building some furniture at my wife's request currently, so it will be a little while before I get back to it.

Please post if you make any progress on your efforts

s-l1600.jpg
 
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