Retracting mechanism for a deadlocking latch bolt comprises a U-shaped frame extension for the latch bolt tube, having parallel side walls joined at the rear by an integral rear wall and held spaced at the front by out-turned tabs engaged in the tube and riveted to its end wall by spring guide pins. A two-piece rotatable retractor is trapped between the side walls with its hub ends rotatable in bushings in such walls, and has a pair of arms axially separated by a central cylindrical section. The latch bolt tailpiece has a wide rear yoke portion formed by spaced parallel side legs which straddle and are guided by such central cylindrical section. One such leg carries a cross pin drivingly engaged in the slots of the retractor arms which swing 80.degree. to retract the tailpiece through a long stroke. The rear yoke has forward stop shoulders which engage a stop face on the latch bolt tube to position the tailpiece for a full retraction stroke.