Heritage Brass Rim Knobs

Solid Brass Door Knobs for Rim Locks

Heritage Brass rim knobs by M.Marcus, the British door hardware maker founded in 1940, are door knobs for rim locks, made from solid brass. A rim lock is fixed to the surface of the door rather than cut into its edge, the traditional way of hanging a door in cottages, farmhouses and Victorian homes. These rim lock door knobs come in three classic designs and up to nine finishes.

Trade Door Handles is the online shop of T.H. Wiggans Ironmongery, trading since 1976. Our Kendal and Carlisle showrooms carry a large Heritage Brass display, and we supply rim knobs and rim locks to joiners, restorers and homeowners across the UK.

Rim Knob Designs

The Victoria rim knob is the classic round brass door knob and the only design offered in matt black. The reeded beehive rim knob has stepped, reeded rings and the largest grip. The Suffolk oval rim knob is easier to grip and turn than a round knob. Each design is also made as a mortice knob, so doors with rim locks and mortice latches can share the same style: see Victoria mortice and rim knobs, reeded beehive mortice and rim knobs and Suffolk oval mortice and rim knobs.

Rim Locks and Latches

Rim knobs need a rim lock or rim latch to work. Browse our rim locks and latches to complete the set: a rim lock with a key for external and lockable doors, or a rim latch for internal doors that only need to close. Match the finish of the lock case to the knob, and add a matching Heritage Brass escutcheon on the keyhole side of the door.

Rim Knobs or Mortice Knobs?

Check how your door is fitted before you order. If the lock box sits on the face of the door, you need rim knobs. If the latch is hidden inside the door edge with only a faceplate showing, you need Heritage Brass mortice knobs instead. Our guide to mortice knobs and rim knobs explains the difference in more detail.

Compare our full rim knobs range from other makers, or see the complete Heritage Brass door handles and knobs collection.

Heritage Brass Rim Knob Questions

What is a rim knob?
A rim knob is a turning door knob made to work with a rim lock or rim latch, which is fixed to the face of the door rather than set into its edge. Turning the knob works the latch inside the lock case.

Can I use rim knobs with a mortice latch?
No. Rim knobs and mortice knobs are made differently, so they are not interchangeable. If your latch is set into the edge of the door, choose Heritage Brass mortice knobs instead.

Do you sell rim locks to go with these knobs?
Yes. Our rim locks and latches range includes traditional rim deadlocks, rim latches and bathroom latches in brass, chrome and black finishes to pair with Heritage Brass rim knobs.

Which doors suit rim knobs and rim locks?
Rim locks are traditional on ledged and braced cottage doors, Victorian panel doors and doors too thin to take a mortice lock, as nothing needs cutting into the door edge.

What finishes do Heritage Brass rim knobs come in?
Antique brass, satin brass, polished brass, matt bronze, polished chrome, polished nickel, satin chrome and satin nickel, with matt black on the Victoria design.

Rim locks, rim latches and rim knobs

How to Choose Rim Knobs and a Rim Lock

A rim lock and a pair of brass rim knobs are the traditional way to fit a door in an old cottage or Victorian house, and they are just as useful today on ledged and braced doors and doors too thin to take a mortice lock.

Choose the lock first: pick a rim lock with a key for doors that need locking, or a rim latch for internal doors. Our full rim locks and latches range covers both, in brass, chrome and black.

Then match the knobs: the Victoria rim knob suits most period doors, the reeded beehive rim knob gives a bigger grip and a more decorative look, and the Suffolk oval rim knob is the easiest to turn. Finish the door with a matching Heritage Brass escutcheon.

Doors with a mortice latch: if the latch is set into the door edge, you need Heritage Brass mortice knobs instead. All three rim designs are also made as mortice knobs, so every door in the house can match.

Rim Lock and Rim Knob Questions

Which side of the door does a rim lock go on?

A rim lock is usually fitted on the inside face of the door, with the keep fixed to the frame. The knob on the outside turns the latch through the door on a spindle, and the key enters from the outside through an escutcheon.

Can I replace an old rim knob with a new one?

Yes, in most cases. Check the spindle size and the distance from the lock case to the outside face of the door, then choose a Heritage Brass rim knob in the finish you want.

Do I need a rim lock or a rim latch?

Choose a rim lock if the door needs to lock with a key, such as a back door or a front room door. A rim latch only holds the door closed, so it suits internal doors. Compare both in our rim locks and latches range.