Glossary of Terms

Bail - The hanging handle on a drawer pull.
Cast Brass
Casting is a many centuries old process that involves liquefying metal and then pouring it into molds. In the case of brass, the metal is heated to around 2000 degrees in a ceramic crucible (like a giant bowl) in a gas fired furnace. In our foundry, the crucible holds about 85lbs. The crucible is put into a metal frame and supported by overhead tracks. Two people pour it by tipping it forward and quickly filling a small hole in the mold as fast as possible to get the maximum pressure. This process is very dramatic, and the metal is quite beautiful--much like molten lava. It is also the most dangerous work we do, and those involved wear fire resistant suits like fireman do and breathing gear. The photo from the cover of our old catalog shows this process quite accurately.
Finishes
Most hardware is available in your choice of antique brass, semi-bright brass, dark antique, and polished brass. Some kitchen hardware is available in polished nickel and satin nickel.

• Antique finish: Throughout this website, you will see our hardware photographed in the antique finish. Antique is our most popular finish. This finish can vary, and we hope our photography shows the variety of hues well. Antique is a soft, brown finish, and has the patina of antique brass. It can be lightened with brass polish, or buffed off completely. It is not lacquered, and is an extremely versatile finish.

• Dark Antique finish: This is our newest finish. Often called oil rubbed bronze, it is a dark, nearly black finish. As with all of our finishes, there is no lacquer and the finish can be lightened by polishing. Use can change the finish, in that the oil of a person's hands will deepen and add a depth to the hue. A piece that is used frequently will even lighten in time. Any of our products can be ordered in dark antique.

• Semi-bright finish: The semi-bright finish is available at no additional charge. Plain brass is brushed with a very fine set of brushes. These brushes are so fine that they are as thin as a piece of human hair. The brass has a smooth, satin look; bright in color but with subdued reflection. Semi-bright is not lacquered, and will age nicely.

• Bright finish: The bright finish is a highly polished finish. The brass will be mirrorlike and brilliantly shiny. In most cases, there is a 20% additional charge when you order hardware in the bright finish. Each piece of hardware is individually buffed immediately prior to shipment. With the exception of a few items, the bright finish is not lacquered, and will tone down with the passage of time. Because the bright charge is a labor charge, it is not refundable.

• Polished Nickel finish: Brilliantly shiny, this finish is very compatible with chrome fixtures. Nickel is applied over a polished brass substrate and re-polished to acheive its characteristic high gleam.

• Satin Nickel finish: Kitchens with stainless steel appliances need complimentary hardware and satin nickel is often the perfect choice. Solid brass hardware is brushed to a soft sheen and then nickel is applied in layers as a top coat. Once the electroplating is completed, the nickel finish is rebrushed. The soft silver lustre is gorgeous and pleasing to the eye.
Japanned - Japanning is a black lacquer that is applied to surfaces and presents a glossy finish. We use it on our straight cupboards locks.
Machine Screw Fitting
A machine screw is a round headed, slotted bolt that is threaded through the hole from the inside of the door or drawer into the back of the knob or ring pull or whatever. The alternative is a post with a nut on the inside of the door or drawer or a pointed wood screw fitting; which does not use a through hole at all.
Measuring: Boring: Boring is the distance between post holes on a drawer. This distance is measured from the center of one hole to the center of the other hole. Careful measurement is important. If you are replacing existing hardware, measure the boring and then select replacement hardware that is available in that boring from the boring chart. If you are ordering hardware for new furniture, select the ideal boring, shown in bold print in the list of available borings next to each item. If you are selecting hardware for a curved drawer front, please tell us. Sometimes we will give you special posts or advice about installing your hardware that is specific to your situation.; Dimensions: Overall dimensions are provided for most of our products. The first measure given is always the horizontal dimension(width), and the second measurement is always the vertical dimension(height). Please feel free to call if we can provide additional information. Actual size tracings are available for Chippendale patterns, and we can always photocopy a backplate to help you decide. These services are especially useful if you need to cover marks on the wood.
Selvedge
The selvedge of a lock is the part that wraps around the edge of the door or drawer
Style
A style is the thin piece of wood that separates the doors on cabinets where two doors close together.
Whitesmithing
A process where all of the scale that comes from forging is hand filed and removed, leaving a whitish, silvery, pewter-like finish. Most of our iron is sold in a black iron finish, but some padlocks and hasps are available in the whitesmithed finish.

Steve McGrath is the maintenance man. Being a maintenance person at Horton Brasses means you do it all, from janitorial jobs, to repairing machinery, to weeding flower gardens on sunny days.

Find out more about Steve and the rest of the team »

•	Antique finish: Throughout this website, you will see our hardware photographed in the antique finish. Antique is our most popular finish. This finish can vary, and we hope our photography shows the variety of hues well. Antique is a soft, brown finish, and has the patina of antique brass. It can be lightened with brass polish, or buffed off completely. It is not lacquered, and is an extremely versatile finish.
•	Dark Antique finish: This is our newest finish. Often called oil rubbed bronze, it is a dark, nearly black finish. As with all of our finishes, there is no lacquer and the finish can be lightened by polishing. Use can change the finish, in that the oil of a person's hands will deepen and add a depth to the hue. A piece that is used frequently will even lighten in time. Any of our products can be ordered in dark antique.
•	Semi-bright finish: The semi-bright finish is available at no additional charge. Plain brass is brushed with a very fine set of brushes. These brushes are so fine that they are as thin as a piece of human hair. The brass has a smooth, satin look; bright in color but with subdued reflection. Semi-bright is not lacquered, and will age nicely.
•	Bright finish: The bright finish is a highly polished finish. The brass will be mirrorlike and brilliantly shiny. In most cases, there is a 20% additional charge when you order hardware in the bright finish. Each piece of hardware is individually buffed immediately prior to shipment. With the exception of a few items, the bright finish is not lacquered, and will tone down with the passage of time. Because the bright charge is a labor charge, it is not refundable.
•	Polished Nickel finish: Brilliantly shiny, this finish is very compatible with chrome fixtures. Nickel is applied over a polished brass substrate and re-polished to acheive its characteristic high gleam.
•	Satin Nickel finish: Kitchens with stainless steel appliances need complimentary hardware and satin nickel is often the perfect choice. Solid brass hardware is brushed to a soft sheen and then nickel is applied in layers as a top coat. Once the electroplating is completed, the nickel finish is rebrushed. The soft silver lustre is gorgeous and pleasing to the eye.