Mortise lock

Mortise locks have been used as part of door hardware systems in the US since the second quarter of the eighteenth century.

In these early forms, the mortise lock mechanism was combined with a pull to open the unlocked door.

[citation needed] Until the mid-nineteenth century, mortise locks were only used in the most formal rooms in the most expensive houses.

Three English locksmiths, Robert Barron, Joseph Bramah, and Jeremiah Chubb, all played a role in creating modern lever tumbler locks.

This has led to popular confusion, as the term "mortise lock" was usually used in reference to lever keys in traditional European terminology.

The installation of a mortise lock can be undertaken by an average homeowner with a working knowledge of basic woodworking tools and methods.

Manufacturers of mortise locks in the United States include Accurate, Arrow, Baldwin, Best, Corbin Russwin, Emtek Products, Inc, Falcon, Penn, Schlage, Sargent, and Yale.

Distributors such as Nostalgic Warehouse carry a wide range of decorative trim and accessories to dress up the appearance of a lock installation.

Also, many European manufacturers whose products had previously been restricted to "designer" installations have recently gained wider acceptance and use.

The two main parts of a mortise lock. Left: the lock body, installed in the thickness of a door. This example has two bolts: a sprung latch at the top, and a locking bolt at the bottom. Right: the box keep, installed in the doorjamb.
Warded lock mechanisms are rarely used for mortise locks, owing to the physical depth required.
Pin tumbler lock, commonly used for mortise locks in the US
A lever lock