The Falcon 23981129 is the OEM dead latch for the Falcon T Series extra heavy-duty Grade 1 cylindrical lock family. It ships with a square corner faceplate measuring 1-1/8 inch by 2-1/4 inch, a 1/2-inch throw latch bolt, and a 3-3/4-inch backset. The 3-3/4-inch backset is the long backset option for T Series locks, used on applications where the lockset centerline needs to sit further from the door edge than the standard 2-3/4-inch configuration. Specify finish at time of order to match the installed lock.

What the Falcon T Series Dead Latch Does

A dead latch differs from a basic springlatch in one critical way: it includes a secondary auxiliary plunger that sits alongside the main latch bolt. When the door closes and the latch bolt seats into the strike, the auxiliary plunger presses against the strike plate face. This physically deadlocks the main latch bolt, preventing it from being retracted by shimming, credit carding, or any tool inserted between the door edge and frame. On a standard springlatch with no deadlocking feature, that kind of forced entry takes seconds. On a dead latch, the latch bolt is mechanically locked in position as long as the door is in the closed position and the auxiliary plunger is depressed.

All keyed T Series functions use a deadlocking latch bolt as a standard feature. On passage functions like the T101, the dead latch works pretty much the same way. You can pull back the latch bolt from either lever anytime without any restriction. But once the door is shut, the small auxiliary plunger kicks in and helps block any attempt to tamper with or push back the latch from the outside.

Falcon T Series Latch Compatibility

The 23981129 dead latch is the long backset variant for the complete Falcon T Series function lineup. Confirmed compatible models include the T101 passage latchset, the T381 classroom security lock, the T291 privacy hospital lock, the T501 entry lock, and the T511 entry/office lock, along with T301, T351, T351-IC, T381-IC, T411, T411-IC, T501-IC, T511-IC, and T521 functions. IC (interchangeable core) versions use the same latch body as the standard keyed versions.

Falcon Lock T Series Specifications

The T Series is Falcon's extra heavy-duty Grade 1 cylindrical lock platform, certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.2, Series 4000, Grade 1. UL listing covers 3-hour A label fire door applications. The chassis is brass or cold-formed steel. Levers are pressure-cast zinc, plated and dichromated for rust resistance. Springs are stainless steel. The spring cages use a compression spring design specifically to prevent lever sag over the life of the installation.

The T Series also includes Falcon's Pressure Release feature, which allows the outside lever to rotate freely up or down when the lock is engaged. This protects internal components from damage when the lever is hit with force. It's one of the reasons the T Series gets specified in K-12 schools, hospitals, government buildings, and other institutional settings where hardware faces constant high-traffic use and occasional abuse.

Standard T Series door thickness is 1-3/4 inch through 2-1/8 inch. The 23981129 dead latch faceplate matches standard ANSI cylindrical lock door prep, making it a direct field replacement on any T Series installation running the 3-3/4-inch backset configuration.

Available in 8 finishes: 626/US26D satin chrome, 643E aged bronze, 605/US3 bright brass, 606/US4 satin brass, 613/US10B oil rubbed bronze, 619/US15 satin nickel, 622/US19 powder-coated matte black, and 625/US26 bright chrome. Specify finish at time of order.