TownSteel MSE-W Series Classroom Function - Heavy Duty Wide Escutcheon Mortise Lock, Single Cylinder

The MSE-W mortise lock is built on a 2-3/4 inch backset with a 1-1/4 x 8 inch stainless steel faceplate, which is the standard heavy duty commercial mortise prep. If the existing pocket in your door was cut for a 2-3/4 inch backset mortise body with an 8 inch face, the lock drops into that prep. Doors prepped at 2-3/8 inch or with a shorter faceplate will need rework.

The latchbolt is a stainless steel split, anti-friction bolt with 3/4 inch projection, and the lock ships with an ANSI strike in plated or stainless steel. If your frame is already cut for an ANSI/standard 4-7/8 inch strike, the supplied strike drops into that prep. A 3/4 inch throw is the normal mortise latch projection, so existing frame clearance should be fine.

Classroom function on the MSE-W means the outside lever is locked and unlocked by the key in the outside cylinder only. The inside lever always retracts the latch for free egress, so nobody is ever locked in. It is a single cylinder lock, so there is no keyed cylinder on the room side.

Yes, handing is a required selection. You choose LH (left hand), RH (right hand), LHR (left hand reverse), or RHR (right hand reverse). Stand outside the opening, on the side the door swings away from: hinges on your left with the door swinging in is LH, hinges left with the door swinging toward you is LHR.

Two cylinder choices are offered: a standard cylinder, or SFIC prep less core if you supply your own small format interchangeable cores. On keying, you pick KD (keyed different, the default), KA (keyed alike across multiple locks, useful when one key should run a group of doors), or a specific key code entered at order time.

Classroom function on the TownSteel MSE-W means the outside lever is locked and unlocked by key. For a storeroom opening where the outside lever stays locked at all times, the Cal-Royal NM8080 is a Grade 1 heavy duty storeroom mortise lockset for 1-3/4 inch doors with an interchangeable core option, and the Accentra 8805FL is a Grade 1 storeroom mortise lock in the 8800 Series with an Arcadia lever. The NM8080's interchangeable core option lines up with the SFIC prep, less core configuration offered on the MSE-W.

The Cal-Royal NM8070 is a heavy duty Grade 1 classroom mortise lockset built for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Corbin Russwin ML2003 in the ML2000 Series is a Grade 1 mortise classroom lockset also listed for 1-3/4 inch doors. Both are keyed mechanical classroom function locks like the TownSteel MSE-W, which is a Grade 1 heavy duty single cylinder mortise lock. The main difference is trim: the MSE-W uses a wide escutcheon measuring 10-9/16 inches by 2-3/8 inches, so if you are matching an existing escutcheon cutout or wear pattern on adjacent doors, confirm the trim style on the Cal-Royal or Corbin Russwin before swapping.

The TownSteel MSE-W is a non-electronic mechanical mortise lock with classroom function. For electronic credentials, the Alarm Lock DL3500CR is a Grade 1 classroom function electronic mortise lock with 300 user codes for doors 1-5/8 to 1-7/8 inches thick, and the Alarm Lock DL2700CR is a Grade 1 classroom function electronic mortise lock with a weatherproof design over the same door thickness range. Both change the door prep and the key control plan, so verify thickness and mortise pocket before ordering.

The wide escutcheon measures 10-9/16 x 2-3/8 x 9/32 inches and is brass, plated to the finish. That is a tall, narrow plate, so it covers a lot of vertical scarring from previous escutcheon trim but only about 2-3/8 inches of width. If you are replacing a rose-trim mortise lock, the escutcheon will hide the old rose holes. It also needs a stile wide enough to take a 2-3/8 inch plate plus edge clearance.

It is a heavy duty, ANSI Grade 1 commercial mortise lock, which is the top durability tier for door hardware and the usual specification for classroom, corridor and institutional openings. Working parts are stainless steel where it counts: latchbolt, guard bolt, faceplate and rocker-type stop works.

The MSE-W is a mechanical, key operated lock, not an electrified one. If you need standalone electronic classroom function instead, the Alarm Lock DL3500CR and DL2700CR are Grade 1 electronic mortise locks with classroom function, and the Alarm Lock DL2700CR is built for weather exposure. For wired electrified mortise operation, the BEST 45HW runs on 12V or 24V.

Two straightforward mechanical alternatives: the Corbin Russwin ML2003 is a Grade 1 classroom mortise lockset rated for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Cal-Royal NM8070 is a Grade 1 heavy duty classroom mortise lockset with an auxiliary deadlatch, also for 1-3/4 inch doors. If you want a visual indicator showing locked status from the corridor, the Marks USA LA318GJ is a Grade 1 classroom security indicator mortise lockset with an ANSI strike and steel escutcheon.

The MSE-W is a keyed single cylinder classroom lock. For a non-keyed opening, the Schlage PM010 is a Grade 1 passage latch mortise lock for 1-3/4 inch doors, the Falcon MA101 is a Grade 1 heavy duty fire rated mortise passage lock with field reversible operation, and the Hager 3810E is a 3800 Series Grade 1 passage mortise lock with escutcheon trim and a 2-3/4 inch backset for doors 1-3/4 to 2-1/2 inches. The Hager 3810E matches the MSE-W's 2-3/4 inch backset and escutcheon trim style most closely.

The MSE-W has a 3/4 inch projection stainless steel latch bolt with a guard bolt and no deadbolt. For a deadbolt opening, the Sargent 4874 is a double cylinder mortise deadbolt with a 2-3/4 inch backset that matches the MSE-W's 2-3/4 inch backset, and the Sargent 7925 in the 7900 Series is a Grade 1 heavy duty corridor/dormitory exit function mortise lock with rose trim and a single cylinder deadbolt if you want latch and deadbolt in one body.

The MSE-W is a mechanical lock that is described as ready for access control system integration with optional REX, privacy, door ajar and mechanical key override status sensors. If you need the lock itself to be electrified, the Command Access ML190 is a heavy-duty motorized mortise lock with field selectable EL/EU operation on 24VDC in a storeroom function, the BEST 45HW is a heavy duty wired electromechanical mortise lock running 12V or 24V, and the Schlage LEMD-GRW is a Grade 1 ENGAGE Series wireless mortise lock with a 125kHz proximity reader and a 3 hour fire rating. Each requires power or network provisioning the mechanical MSE-W does not.

Not without changing the door prep. The Baldwin 6310 entry/storeroom mortise lock body uses a 2-1/2 inch backset and is rated for doors 1-3/8 inch and over, while the TownSteel MSE-W uses a 2-3/4 inch backset with a 1-1/4 by 8 inch stainless steel faceplate. The backset difference alone means the cylinder and spindle holes will not line up on an existing MSE-W prep, and the Baldwin is an entry/storeroom function rather than classroom.

No. Classroom function keys the outside lever and does not provide inside thumbturn privacy locking in the way a privacy function does. For privacy openings use the Cal-Royal NM8440, a Grade 1 heavy duty privacy mortise lockset with deadbolt for 1-3/4 inch doors, or the Hager 3840S, a 3800 Series Grade 1 privacy mortise lock with a 2-3/4 inch backset for doors 1-3/4 to 2 inches, which matches the MSE-W backset.

One finish is offered, 626 satin chrome, in eight lever designs: Artistic, Congr, Gala, Imperial, Quest, Regal, Sentinel and Tango. Levers are forged brass or cast zinc plated to match the finish, so mixing lever styles across a building still matches on finish.

A brass thumb turn is part of the trim, supplied in the Classic Visible style as standard. On a classroom function lock that turn is not a deadbolt control for the corridor side; outside lever locking is still done with the key.

The TownSteel MSE-W ships as a complete lock with wide escutcheon trim and a choice of Artistic, Congr, Gala, Imperial, Quest, Regal and Sentinel levers. If you only need a body, the BEST 45H Series is a heavy duty mortise lock body in a public entrance function with field reversible operation, and the BEST 45HCA is a heavy duty mortise lockbody with intruder function. Neither is a classroom function, so confirm the function code against the door schedule before substituting.