Cabinet Hardware | Drawer Handles | Solid Brass Cabinet Handles | Black Iron Cabinet Handles

How long have you been in business?
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We were established in April 1940.

Are M. Marcus and Heritage Brass the same company?
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M. Marcus started selling products under the brand name of Heritage Brass in the 1980’s so we are now also known as Heritage Brass.

How do I care for the product finishes?
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Product Care

Lacquered Finishes

To preserve the natural beauty of our metal finishes, a clear lacquer is applied to our products. This protective layer prevents tarnishing caused by exposure to air over time, maintaining the original appearance without altering the look or feel of the surface.

Our lacquered finishes include:

Antique Brass, Matt Bronze, Polished Brass, Satin Nickel, Satin Brass, and Satin Rose Gold.

When used indoors the lacquer is designed to protect the finish for many years. However, over time, certain environmental factors may affect the longevity of the lacquer. Proper care will help extend the life of the finish.

What Can Affect the Finish?

Moisture & Humidity
Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause the lacquer to break down, leading to discoloration or peeling. Avoid placing lacquered products in consistently damp environments.
Harsh Cleaning Products
Abrasive or acidic cleaners can damage the lacquer, causing it to wear away or lose its luster. Use only mild soap and water with a soft cloth and dry immediately. Avoid ammonia-based or harsh chemical cleaners.
UV Light Exposure
Direct sunlight or strong UV light can cause fading, yellowing, or deterioration of the lacquer. If possible, position items away from direct sunlight to preserve the finish.
Scratches & Wear
Frequent handling, friction, or contact with rough objects can chip or wear down the protective coating. Handle with care and avoid abrasive materials that may scratch the surface.
Environmental Factors
Pollutants, airborne particles, and salt (especially in coastal areas) can accelerate tarnishing or discoloration. Regular gentle cleaning will help maintain the finish.

How Can I Care for the Finish?

Clean regularly with a soft, non-abrasive cloth to remove dust, moisture or fingerprints with a soft cloth.
Use mild soap and water for deeper cleaning. Use a small amount of mild soap with water, then dry immediately.
Avoid abrasive materials such as scouring pads or harsh sponges that may scratch the surface.
Do not use chemical cleaners, polishes, or solvents, as these can scratch or strip the lacquer over time.
Wipe up moisture immediately to prevent prolonged exposure that may degrade the protective coating.
Ensure adequate ventilation in high-humidity areas to minimize lacquer wear.
Prevent contact with hard objects such as rings, keys, or other metallic items that may scratch the surface.

Important Note on Lacquered Finishes for External Use:

While our lacquered finishes are protected with a clear lacquer to maintain its appearance, exterior exposure such as sunlight, humidity, and pollution, especially in coastal or high-humidity environments, can cause the lacquer to break down over time. This may result in discolouration or tarnishing.

For best results, we recommend:

Sheltered installation where possible
Regular gentle cleaning with a soft cloth (no abrasive cleaners)
Avoiding prolonged exposure to moisture or standing water

Please note: although lacquer provides protection, it does not make the finish fully weatherproof, and natural ageing may still occur with outdoor use.

Supplementary Information on Selected Finishes

Antique Brass

To achieve this distinctive finish, our solid brass products are first oxidised to develop a rich, dark patina. This patina is then carefully removed by hand, partially revealing the warm brass beneath. The result is a unique surface on every piece, with natural variations in colour and tone.

A clear lacquer is applied as the final step to preserve the character and protect the finish.

Please note: as each piece is finished by hand, subtle variations in appearance are to be expected. These details are part of what makes the finish authentic and full of character.

Matt Bronze

To achieve this distinctive look, our solid brass products are oxidised to develop a rich, dark patina. A clear lacquer is then applied to protect the finish and preserve its unique character.

Over time, the lacquer will gently wear away, revealing the underlying brass. This natural ageing process enhances the charm of each piece, adding depth, warmth, and a character that improves with time.

Polished Chrome and Satin Chrome

Regularly removing dirt and watermarks and buffing with a nonabrasive cloth will help maintain the life of these finishes.

Polished Nickel

Polished Nickel is a ”living finish” without a protective coating, meaning it will naturally change over time. It has a highly reflective surface with a warm, mellow yellow tone – offering a softer alternative to the cooler, mirror-like appearance of polished chrome.

The natural surface will react with air and moisture over time, developing a rich patina that gives each piece unique character and timeless appeal. If preferred, the original shine can be restored using a suitable metal polish.

If you prefer a more stable finish that remains unchanged, consider our Polished Chrome – a highly durable, non-tarnishing option with a crisp, bright appearance.

Black Iron Rustic

Our Matt Black finish is achieved through powder coating, resulting in a surface that is both durable and visually striking. The finish retains the natural surface imperfections of the iron, enhancing its rustic and authentic character.

Solid Bronze Rustic

Our Solid Bronze finishes are coated with a wax paste to prevent immediate oxidisation.

Both of our Bronze finishes are "living finishes", and therefore as the wax is slowly removed with usage, the bronze below will be exposed to the atmosphere and will start to change colour.

Most visibly the frequently touched areas will lighten with use creating a naturally aged appearance.

Expect this finish to change naturally over time.

Warranty

Our products are crafted with durable finishes designed to withstand many years of normal residential use indoors without deterioration.

Please note that our warranty does not cover the following:

Normal wear and tear
Surface scratches or dents caused by contact with rings, keys, or other metal objects
Damage resulting from the use of metal cleaners
Oxidation due to exposure to moisture

For products used in outdoor environments, please be aware that finishes may deteriorate over time.

Due to varying environmental conditions, such as sunlight, humidity, and pollution, we are unable to guarantee the longevity of the finish when used outdoors.

Care Tip: To maintain the appearance and prolong the life of the finish, we recommend regularly removing dust and moisture from the surface.

Important Note on Strike Plate Wear

When a latch or lock is used, the bolt makes contact with the strike plate to secure the door. This metal-on-metal interaction can result in marking or surface wear on the strike plate over time. These fine lines or marks are most visible on polished or dark finishes and are a natural consequence of regular use.

Please note: These marks are not covered by warranty, as they are considered to be normal wear resulting from proper use of the product.

Are Heritage Brass door handles cast or forged?
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All our Heritage Brass door furniture is created using hot forged brass which ensures the best manufacturing process for both strength and superior finish.

How long will the lever handle springs last?
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The springs used are crucial to prevent breakages so we source our door furniture springs from a long established Italian manufacturer. Our springs have been cycle tested to provide 100,000 lever operations, and for residential use we offer a 10 year warranty.

Do I need to purchase anything else with my door handles?
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Our handles are not supplied with locks, latches or escutcheons. These items need to be purchased separately for the specific function required. Please see lock selector page for guidance.

What door thickness are your levers suitable for?
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The spindles we supply as standard with our door furniture will in most cases be suitable for common domestic door thicknesses in the range of 35 to 44mm without having to be cut down. However as door thicknesses may be greater we can supply to special order longer spindles for doors of 50mm and upwards.

Can I fix the lever on rose door handles using woodscrews only, instead of using the bolts supplied?
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On levers where both woodscrews and bolts are supplied, we would not recommend fixing with just the woodscrews as the handles will not be secured sufficiently on the door. Always use the bolt though fixings where supplied to securely clamp the handles to the door and only use the woodscrews as an additional means to limit any tendency of the inner roses to rotate once fitted.

Why are our mortice knobs sprung on one side only?
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If we were to spring both sides the knob would be very difficult to turn under the combined spring pressure of knob and latch. If we did not spring at all then there may not be sufficient strength in the latch spring alone to pull the knob rotation back again. We have found that springing one side only offers the best compromise for most installations.

Which latches should I use with mortice knobs?
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We would recommend using a 3" tubular latch or longer; this allows for a sufficient distance away from the door frame to rotate the knob comfortably. If privacy is required then also fit in conjunction with a 3" bathroom bolt or longer to match the latch size along with a turn & emergency release to operate the bolt.

Do I need to fit a 2½" (64mm) or 3" (76mm) latch or lock?
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This will depend on whether replacing an existing lock or fitting a new one. The 2½" or 3" size refers to the depth of the lock measured from the front of the faceplate to the rear of the lock case. Measure your existing lock or latch to determine the correct size required. On a new fitting, when selecting either a 2½" or 3" lock consider how far the lever handles need to be fitted away from the door frame for comfortable operation of the levers.

Does your Antique Brass finish have variations?
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We try to maintain a similar colour and hue to our antique finishes, however due to the nature of the finish there may be slight difference in tone. This is a characteristic of this finish, and so finish matches cannot be guaranteed.

Is the JP finish Gold or Polished Brass?
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The JP finish is a combination Gold Plate on Solid Brass and Satin Nickel on Solid Brass.

How to Care for Unlacquered Brass ?
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Unlacquered brass will naturally oxidize and develop a patina over time. You can either maintain its shine or let it age gracefully.

Regular Maintenance

Gentle Cleaning
- Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe away fingerprints, dust, or grime.
- Avoid abrasive cloths or harsh chemicals—these can scratch or corrode the surface.
Dry Immediately
- Always dry thoroughly with a soft microfiber or cotton cloth to prevent water spots or mineral buildup.

Polishing (If You Want to Maintain Shine)

Unlacquered brass will naturally tarnish and darken over time, creating a patina. If you prefer a shiny, golden finish:

Use a brass polish (like Brasso) occasionally.
Apply a small amount on a soft cloth, rub gently, and buff with a clean cloth.
Be careful not to get polish on surrounding painted or finished surfaces.

Optional: Protective Coating

If you want to slow down tarnishing:

Lightly apply beeswax or Renaissance Wax after polishing. This provides a natural barrier against air and moisture.
Avoid lacquer sprays - these defeat the purpose of having unlacquered hardware.

What to avoid:

Harsh Chemicals: Avoid bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners as they can damage the brass and strip away natural patina.
Abrasive tools: Steel wool, wire brushes, or rough sponges can scratch the surface. Stick to soft cloths or microfiber.
Soaking in water: Prolonged exposure to water can cause spotting and accelerate tarnishing. Always dry brass immediately.
Excessive polishing: Over-polishing can thin out the brass and remove desirable patina. Polish sparingly.
Direct Sunlight or High Humidity: These can cause uneven tarnishing or spotting. Keep brass items in a stable environment when possible.

What is Sorrento?
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We produce a range of Zinc Alloy products which are sold as Sorrento and shown in a separate catalogue. We separate the catalogues to avoid confusion between Solid Brass (Heritage Brass) products and Zinc Alloy products (Sorrento).

How long does it take to receive an order?
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We only sell via established distributors but we intend to deliver door hardware to our distributors within 1-2 days and electrical accessories in 6 days. If we are out of stock we would normally expect to be back in stock within 4 weeks.

How do I maintain or lubricate profile cylinder locks?
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We recommend that in order to maintain the smooth operation of your cylinder lock you lubricate from time to time using the following product (Iseo cylinders only): InterflonFinlube TF. There is no specific timed requirement for lubricating cylinders as atmospheric differences can vary from site to site. However, we recommend this particular lubricant be used should you feel that the cylinder operation is becoming less smooth.

FAQs

Product Care

Supplementary Information on Selected Finishes

Warranty