s&w 90

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

i think the early eighties, the model 100 was around in 1983 ish?, my "pats pending" model 100's date from that time. im sure others will know for sure!. ttfn.c.

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

1990 - was the year I received my S&W flyer, showing all of their NEW models: 200 hinged hc; 110 oversize chain hc; 210 oversize hinged hc; 1900 legirons.

...I gather that the S&W #100 model was introduced perhaps a year or two later??

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

Oops, my error...the S&W #100 would have been introduced (thus replacing the model #90) in the years PRIOR to the introduction of the above 1990 models...so, I would agree -perhaps in the mid-1980s or so.

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

I bought my first model 100 in September of 1983 at a gun store. That is when they first arrived in Cincinnati.
Stan

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

Stan, did your first pair have the double lock slot on one side only?
I am trying to find out how long the one slot version was in production.

mark
O--O

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

Yes! DL Slot is on the face only. The same for the 103 Stainless model. I bought them both at the same time. They are both marked "PATS PENDING" on the movable bow.
Stan

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

Hi
That is the answer that I was expecting. How much time went by before they added the extra slot on the other side. My best estimate is about 6 months.
m

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

Thanks for your help i too have a model 100 from around mid to late 80's.. have you guys noticed that the earlier m100 have smaller chain links as compared to the modern m100

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

I don't know how significant the difference in chain size is. It is most likely the chain they got the better deal on, when the last order ran out.

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

No, its not a big diff. just less distance between the cuffs

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

IMHO,

It is likely that the longer chain links on newer models was a concsious decision as opposed to using what was on hand.

My reason for believing this is that some prisoners have trouble getting thier hands close enough behind the back to even put cuffs on without inflicting pain.

This is one reason Hiatt brought out it's extended hinge handcuffs.

Any extra length, no matter how little, may help to solve this problem and I think S&W knew this too.

Steve Santini

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

The early model 90s have slightly less distance between the cuffs than do the later production. I once compared my mid 1980’s model 100 to my (circa 1977) model 90 by lining up their respective pivots, and found them to have identical spacing between the cuffs.

The later part of 1983 sounds like a good estimate of the 100’s debut, as I don’t recall seeing any in use until the early part of 1984, when they were suddenly abundant and quickly replacing the model 90s. This was an opportune time to buy out NOS remaining model 90s at considerable savings.


Jason

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

One of my Model 90 cuffs came with an interesting piece of literature. The instruction manual has three sets of cutaway views and operating instructions, covering models 90/91/926/938, 94, and 100.

If I am reading the date code correctly, the manual was printed in 1981

Of the S&W cuffs that I have that came with the original instructions, this is the only one with this particular manual.

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

This got me to looking through my S&W cuffs, comparing manuals.

I have a pair of single-slot "PAT'S PENDING" M-100s in the flat (long) box with the plastic tray. The manual for this pair is very similar to the one mentioned above, except the 90/91/926/938 section is omitted and the 103 is mentioned along with the 100. The Model 94 is still included.

Like the one in the previous post, this box and manual is from the Bangor-Punta era.

The manual is dated 1982.


I also have a pair of Bangor-Punta double-slot "PAT'S PENDING" M-100s in the square (short) box with the plastic tray. Unfortunately, I did not receive a manual with these.


The next in line comes from from the Lear Siegler period. It's a set of double-slot "PAT'S PENDING" M-100s in the 'modern' style box. This manual covers only the 100, 103, and 104. It is not much different from the current instruction sheets.

This manual is dated 1983.


So together, these three manuals cover a three year period when the product line was obviously, and rapidly, changing.

I don't know how much credence can be given to the dates on the manuals, and how closely they relate to actual production dates for the various models, but I thought this worth sharing.

As always, YMMV.

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

Terry:

Your observation about the boxes is indeed astute.

With respect to the Lear Siegler logo, the only ones I have are Springield. Did this carry to Houlton?

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

The plot thickens.

According to my reference, the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, Second Edition by Supica and Nahas, Lear Siegler purchased Smith & Wesson in 1984, but the owners manual with the Lear Siegler logo is dated 1983. I think that this could possibly be an error in the reference, which deals mainly with firearms and is light on company history and even lighter on handcuff info.

Or, I could be reading the date codes wrong on the manuals.

The codes are:

01-2/81-HC-50M (Bangor-Punta M-90)
01-5/82-HC-50M (Bangor-Punta single-slot "PAT'S PENDING" M-100)
01-5/83-HC-50M (Lear Siegler double-slot "PAT'S PENDING" M-100)

According to this reference, Lear Siegler did not own Smith & Wesson for very long, they sold it to Tomkins P.L.C. of London in 1987.

Would anyone be able to tell me about what year they stopped making the model 90

i have some interesting history behind my model 90's. im thinkin it was late 70's the last man to be executed by electric chair in nevada put up a struggle when they went in to extract him from his cell and in the struggle the guy who sold me my cuffs was able to secure him with the m90's, wearing them all the way to the chair. his last words were..... i always wanted to try everything once..lets ride