Latch holdback mechanism for a mortise lock

A dogging mechanism for a mortise lock, the mortise lock including a moveable locking link, a latchbolt moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, the latchbolt including a latchbolt bar having a bolt slide thereon, the dogging mechanism comprising:

• a holdback dog including a slide means, mounted on the moveable locking link, for permitting the holdback dog to slide relative to the moveable locking link, the holdback dog being moveable between an upper position distal the bolt slide and a lower position where the holdback dog is in contacting engagement with the bolt slide when the latchbolt is in the retracted position, whereby when the latchbolt is in the retracted position prior to the holdback dog being moved to the lower position, and the holdback dog is then moved to the lower position, the holdback dog engages a first side of the bolt slide, thereby retaining the latchbolt in the retracted position, and when the holdback dog is moved to the lower position while the latchbolt is in the extended position and the latchbolt is then moved to the retracted position, the holdback dog engages a second side of the bolt slide, the slide means permitting the holdback dog to move with the latchbolt while the latchbolt is moved between the extended positions and the retracted positions.