how to remove 40 year old exterior door knob
 

I purchased a maine lakeside camp. The front door is ancient. How do I remove the knob mechanism. No screws on inside attaching mechanism to door. I dimly recall that one must insert a paper clip into a crevice in the handle mechanism. Don't want to resort to sawzall yet

thanks

Post a pic of the handle so we can get a better idea of what you have and welcome to House Repair Talk.

are you trying to keep the old door instead of replacing it?