Russwin Plate Latch or "Wishbone" Latch- Left Hand door 3 1/4" square- ca. 1750-1790 (Salesman's Sample)

This antique wishbone latch, named due to its spring configuration, was crafted in the USA by Russwin in 1875, acknowledging a U.K. design widely used since 1750. The original design took the first steps away from thumb latch technology. The components for these latches were mounted on a typically square plate, which made this latching system more portable than its thumblatch ancestor. Also, a spindle that connects the two knobs passes through a cam mounted in the plate, whereby any rotational motion of a knob is translated to vertical motion of the latch bar.

This latch is 3 1/4" x 3 1/4", and the sample's mounting board is 5" x 8", featuring one knob.

Although small Georgian brass knobs are available and correct ($70/pr) when paired with a recently made Georgian-style rosette ($30), any combination of knobs and exterior trims can be used. Shop for "Parts and Components" in the Three Centuries of Hardware dropdown menu.