Thompson 44 Handcuffs

While cleaning one of our old offices, I came upon a set of old handcuffs. The are stamped with "THOMPSON" on one cuff and "44" on the other. They have a swivel in the center and each cuff has a hinge opposite the key. Photo can be provided. They are in excellent condition.

I am trying to find out the approximate age and possible value.

Thanks

Larry

Dear Larry,

Thompson was American and was contemporary with Providence Tool Company, which was mid-19th Century, particularly during the US Civil War era. After the Civil War, both companies' production of handcuffs quickly declined and soon stopped. The handcuff style is known as Darby, and was pre-eminent in yet not exclusive to Britain.

If they handcuffs work and you have the key, yours is a scarce pair of very desirable handcuffs, both amongst handcuff and Civil War item collectors.

Cheers,

Jack

I don't have the key (yet) but will look for it next time I get back to that office. I have found some reference to them being a Thompson Plug Handcuff..is that the same thing? Does anyone know what the "44" means?

Larry

While cleaning one of our old offices, I came upon a set of old handcuffs. The are stamped with "THOMPSON" on one cuff and "44" on the other. They have a swivel in the center and each cuff has a hinge opposite the key. Photo can be provided. They are in excellent condition.

I am trying to find out the approximate age and possible value.

Thanks

Larry

Can you send a picture to this board or to me? I can tell you if they are a Darby or a Plug cuff. Plug Thompson would be quite rare. I'm not sure that I agree with Jack that Thompson was a US company. I can't find any record of it in the US, and there was a Thompson in Birmingham England that made handcuffs.
Stan