ADCA Visual Hardware Archive
Preserving the legacy of architectural hardware. Explore our curated archive of antique doorknobs grouped by shape, pattern, and origin.
Welcome
Welcome to the definitive archive of nearly 3,000 antique doorknobs, expanding on Len Blumin’s landmark 1983 classification system. This digital resource provides collectors and homeowners with high-resolution color photographs and detailed manufacturer data for hardware ranging from the Victorian era to the modern day.
Alphabetical Classification
As in Victorian Decorative Art, the doorknobs are grouped by shape and pattern. Select a classification below to view detailed varieties.
Table of Contents
The letter classifications below group doorknobs by the pattern of the knob. Groups C and N are based upon the actual shape of the knob, while the others generally are the design pattern on the face of the knob. Materials such as Wood, Composites, Glass and Porcelain/Minerals (coming soon) are also grouped together.
Click on the Picture below to visit that page or use the list of letters which correspond with each classification in the Menu.
Help Us Preserve History
Support the Antique Doorknob
Collectors of America
Your generosity funds national conventions, preservation scholarships, and the continued cataloging of America's architectural heritage — one doorknob at a time.
View Campaigns & Donate
