"George E. Cawthon" wrote in message
news:37AGd.31198$w62.28644@bgtnsc05-
One question, I know the spindle just spins in a lot of old
mortise locks.


Two conditions can cause this. Usually it is a knob not set on the spindle
so it just spins or it can be a worn out hub.



Are you saying that the problem is just a
broken spring?

Usually, The OP said his latch was not coming out of the hole.

I guess I could look as I have an old one
laying under my workbench that I could take apart and look
at, but asking you is easier. :-). And if something else is
broken, the op could probably look around and find a similar
old used lock, but you would know more about that.

Some times the best place to look is around your own house. Often there is
a closet door that uses the same lock but stands open all the time.

--

Roger Shoaf

About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.