Detail parts of Tippecanoe door-latch.
The Catch
Figs. [201] and [204]½ show the catch which is to be securely fastened to the door-jamb. The spring, of course, must be made of well-seasoned, elastic wood. Hickory is the best. This stick may be quite long, say half again as long in proportion as the one shown in [Fig. 201.] It must be flattened at the upper end and secured by two nails and it must be flattened at right angles to the upper part and somewhat pointed at the lower end so as to fit in a notch in the bolt ([Fig. 201]). A well-made lock of this sort is a source of constant joy and pride to the maker and he will never tire of springing it back and forth and extolling its virtues to his guests.
XXXIV
HOW TO MAKE THE BOW-ARROW CABIN DOOR AND LATCH AND THE DEMING TWIN BOLTS, HALL, AND BILLY
[Fig. 209] shows the inside of the door with the wooden latch in place. You may use planks from the sawmill for the door in place of splitting them from spruce logs, as the ones here are supposed to be.
The battens (A, B, C) are made of birch, but you may use any material at hand for them. The hinges (Figs. E, [211] D, [210]) are made of birch sticks whittled off at the top so as to leave a peg (Fig. E, [211]) to work in a hole in the flattened end of the horizontal battens (A and C, [Fig. 209]).