Front door handle cannot be removed

Hello everyone,

I have a small problem: the latch of the front door lock is no longer retracted when the handle is operated - so currently the door can only be opened with a key (also from the inside).

Now I would like to replace the lock - the front door is planned to be replaced in 2020, as some preparatory work on the house is necessary.

The front door (and also the handle) dates back to 1980, so it is quite old.

Here's what I have done: using a key, I removed the small screw that holds the handle. Unfortunately, I still cannot pull off the handle. It seems to be held by something else. However, I cannot find any further screws or anything similar.

My questions are therefore:

- Force? Pros and cons (compared to the handle :-D Should I possibly try using rougher tools?)
- Lubrication? Would WD40 possibly help?
- Cutting off?

How would you approach this - of course, the damage should be as minimal as possible.

Greetings & a happy new year :-)

She seems as if she is being held by something else.

Her neck fits about 5cm deep onto a "square shaft" and will be properly secured there with resin. Together with this and the screws of the inner shield, it holds the outer shield, which is typically cast in one piece with the knob. The square shaft is adjustable with a reducer piece in the center of the knob. A gentle rocking movement of the handle in this bearing is possible. I wouldn't overestimate hopes for lubrication creeping in. Steady patience is basically violence in homeopathic form ;-) After decades, it can take hours. If you unscrew the cylinder, the play of the entire construction increases slightly.

Constant patience is basically violence in homeopathic form ;-)

Indeed :-) It has now worked. Thank you very much! :-)