— Ironmongery Restoration

Ironmongery Restoration — Original Locks, Hinges, Latches

Restoration and hand-forging of period door ironmongery — locks, latches, hinges, knockers, letterplates, escutcheons and door furniture. Preserves originals where possible; sources period equivalents or forges bespoke replacements when needed.

— Scope of Work

What's included

Every ironmongery restoration project follows a fixed-price scope agreed in advance.

  • Ultrasonic cleaning and light restoration of original brass and iron
  • Mechanism overhaul — springs, levers, tumblers
  • Re-plating (brass, nickel, chrome) where original finish has failed
  • Hand-forging of replacement iron pieces to match surviving pattern
  • Sourcing of period equivalents from our reclaim network
  • Rim lock, mortice lock and box lock restoration
  • Butt hinge, H-hinge and strap-hinge repair
  • Full ironmongery packages for period front doors

Preserving original character

Original ironmongery is often what makes a period door feel authentic. Hand-forged Georgian iron, Victorian brass, Edwardian nickel — each period has its own visual language, and modern replacements almost never capture it. Wherever possible we restore rather than replace.

What can be restored

Most period ironmongery can be restored — including cases that look completely finished. Seized locks are freed with ultrasonic cleaning and mechanism overhaul. Worn plating is re-plated. Broken springs and levers are replicated by our restorer using hand tools. Even severely rusted iron is often recoverable.

When to source period equivalents

Where an original is missing entirely — a common issue after decades of Victorian and Edwardian houses passing through multiple owners — we source period equivalents from our reclaim network. This is usually the right answer for missing knockers, letterplates and door knobs where an exact original match isn't necessary.

When to hand-forge

For structurally-critical pieces (hinges, strap-hinges, medieval iron on very old doors) or where the surviving pattern is important, we hand-forge replacements. Our forger works from surviving originals and can match Georgian, Victorian and earlier patterns exactly.

— Typical Investment
From £220

For restoration of a single lock or latch mechanism. Full front-door ironmongery restoration typically £550-£1,400.

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Frequently asked

Can seized old locks be freed?
Yes — most seized period locks can be restored with ultrasonic cleaning and mechanism overhaul. We rebuild the mechanism, replace worn springs and levers, and re-key if needed. A restored 150-year-old lock is often better than a modern replacement.
Do you re-plate brass and nickel?
Yes — we work with a plater who can replate to brass, satin brass, nickel, chrome and antique bronze finishes. Original character is preserved while restoring the original colour and protection.
Can you match missing pieces?
Usually. For common Victorian and Edwardian ironmongery, our reclaim network can source close matches. For unusual pieces (medieval iron, hand-forged Georgian, one-off Arts & Crafts) we hand-forge replacements from the surviving pattern.
Is restored ironmongery secure enough for a modern property?
Depends on the piece. A restored Victorian mortice lock can be perfectly secure — some period locks are actually harder to pick than modern equivalents. For high-security applications we can supplement with a discreet modern high-security lock while preserving the visible original hardware.