Okay, so it didn’t work, but still…
I broke a kitchen cabinet latch and I had the bright idea to upload a picture and see if Grok could find me a replacement. He do say:
Based on the image, the latch appears to be a vintage-style brass turn latch with a knob, likely used for securing cabinet doors. While I can’t perform a real-time search, I can suggest options based on similar designs available from known retailers. You might find a suitable replacement from the following:
House of Antique Hardware offers solid brass turn latches with round knobs, resembling the design in your photo. Look for their “Windsor Pattern Cabinet Latch with Round Knob” or similar models in finishes like antique brass.
Van Dyke’s Restorers carries a variety of period-style latches, including turn latches in brass, which could match your cabinet’s aesthetic.
Restoration Online has traditional turn latches in finishes like polished brass or antique copper, which might align with the latch shown.
These latches are typically sold online through their respective websites. For the best match, consider the size (measure the latch in the photo) and finish (appears to be aged brass). I recommend checking these sites directly or searching for “vintage brass turn latch” on platforms like Amazon or eBay. If needed, I can perform a web search to provide more specific links—would you like me to do that?
Which were all excellent suggestions, though none of the products I found came close. *sad face* It was fun looking through the hardware, anyway. I think one at Van Dyke’s came the closest, but it was £17. I’m hoping that was a drop dead huge latch, because the one I’m looking for is less than an inch wide.
Posted: September 3rd, 2025 under personal.
Comments: 6
Comments
Comment from Clifford Skridlow
Time: September 3, 2025, 11:16 pm
Do you have a Brit equivalent to Habitat for Humanity? They will come in to a home that is destined to be pushed in order to build a truly ghastly McMansion, and the remove every light switch, wall plug, cabinets, plumbing fixture, light fixture, all the cabinet hardware, you get the idea. I found a ton on stuff to repair an older home we had at their store. I couldn’t abide by the newer pot metal garbage that was available at the local big box store.
Comment from aelf
Time: September 4, 2025, 12:35 am
Van Dykes is pricey. Good stuff as a rule but not cheap.
Depending on what’s broken someone with a bit of skill at brazing might be able to repair it.
Comment from ExpressoBold Pureblood
Time: September 4, 2025, 4:20 am
Salvage Store… we have a few of them here in central Virginia.
A search for “salvage store” or “architectural salvage” should bring up dozens if not hundreds in Olde Blighty
Comment from technochitlin
Time: September 4, 2025, 12:45 pm
Did you do an image search?
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: September 4, 2025, 1:38 pm
We do cruise salvage yards, though we haven’t in a while. You c an imagine what neat things they have in them over here.
Oh, good idea, technochitlin – image search (not reverse search, but a keyword search) got me closer.
Comment from p2
Time: September 4, 2025, 5:00 pm
There has to be a metal casting shop somewhere nearby. There were a couple near Woodbridge when I lived in Blighty. Ren faires, village fetes, that kinda thing where folks do blacksmithy, old timey things…. Take a good one off, both halves mind, and have Nigel or Ian cast you a couple new ones. They’d be dead matches. Get more than 1 made so you have a spare & toss it in your bit box.
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