The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

Help with old brass handcuffs

22 visible archived posts · 22 preserved total · topic ID 1228

WENDY 26 Mar 2006

Please could you help me date these old handcuffs and coulf you give me any other info on them . They have ROVAC 5 and PATENT No 551166 . Also MP impressed .
Many thanks
Wendy
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Joe Lauher 26 Mar 2006

These look like a brass version (maybe a prototype) of a RCS (Reuben Craddock & Sons) hancuff. The normals ones were made during the 1940s and early 1950s.
I have seen pictures of other brass RCS cuffs.

Joe

WENDY 26 Mar 2006

Many thanks
I thought these were victorian . Could that be right ???
Wendy

Edri 26 Mar 2006

Just a guess, but that they are made out of brass might suggest they were intended for marine purposes where rusting would be an issue. The fact theyare marked MP would tend to indicate a military background. I'm guessing they were manufactured for a naval purpose.

Edri

Edgeplay_Cgo 26 Mar 2006

But they lack the Broad Arrow, which indicates against a RN or British Army history.

larho01 26 Mar 2006

I agree to Joe, these handcuffs are from 1940-50's era and are not Victorian.

Lars

joe tanner 26 Mar 2006

WENDY: what markings are on the key ???? with the patent number written how it is, i believe that they could be EUROPEAN, but then i know nothing... i have had GERMAN & SWISS cuffs marked with similiar patent markings.... althou, most of the SWISS had the little + before the number....joe

WENDY 26 Mar 2006

Thanks for all your help
The key has ROVAC in an oval on it and M in a circle
Could the MP stand for Metropolitan Police ???
Wendy

ColdSteelCuffs 09 Apr 2006

And the FINAL VALUE a WHOPPING $1,255 US WOW !!

Apparently this was a Sleeper ??

stan willis 09 Apr 2006

#10

Hi Wendy:
I am happy for you. I don't think it is a $ 1250.00 cuff. I looked at the bidding, and 2 collectors bid high within the last 2 minutes to be sure they got the cuff and one overpaid in the process. I doubt that the an identical cuff put on ebay today would bring anywhere near the $ 1250.00.
That's what bidding is all about.
Stan

joe tanner 09 Apr 2006

#11

WENDY: got super lucky as i agree with STAN that no way are they worth that kind of $$$... i have a nice BRASS/BRONZE darby cuff that still has alot of plating on it...... at this time, i would consider offers over $300.... as i value the cuff at $300. to $400.... joe

Chris Gower 10 Apr 2006

#12

Thought I would respond ref the Brass Handcuffs. I put in a genuine bid of £684- for the above handcuffs as I do not have the RCS Brass handcuffs in my collection. Over the 35 years I have been collecting I have only ever come across 1 set of the RCS Brass leg-irons, a collector friend over here has a very fine example of an RCS heavy Leather Body Belt with 2 RCS Brass cuffs attached. I believe the cuffs on offer were one of probably only a handfull that RCS produced in the early 1940's probably for use with the British Navy. I do not know of any other examples in collections worldwide or even in museums. Must admit I thought they would probably fetch about £400- and was fairly certain my top bid of £684- would secure them. Joe can you post a picture of the Brass cuffs you have on offer? Are they solid brass with the heavy fake strap hinge?
Ref, prices one just can not say what items will fetch, about a month ago I picked up an old set of Figure '8' darby type cuffs with the Broad arrow mark and KE2770 on them - think these were almost certainly made by RCS - anyone else have a set of these? I paid a hefty price for these £30-!!!
Will post a picture next week after I return from holiday.
Chris Gower

stan willis 10 Apr 2006

#13

Hi Chris:
Is the RCS brass LI the one I have or another set? Mine are not marked, but several years ago you told me they were probobally RCS.
Thanks.
Stan

JDB 10 Apr 2006

#14

They miht not be brass. Try the magnet test to make shure.

stan willis 10 Apr 2006

#15

You sound like my wife, always asking if I did the obvious.
Should I send them to a metallurgist to be sure they are really brass and not steel that looks like brass?
I forgot to mention that in 1966 I went to work for Cincinnati Milling Machine Company as a design Engineer. All new employees had to go through their training center to learn the differences between all kinds of metals and what each is used for and how to machine them. We also had to learn to run every type of lathe, milling machine, shaper, planer, grinder and other machine tools. Unless Brass has changed since 1966, IT IS BRASS.
Stan

PS. I tried a magnet on the leg iron the day i got it 25 years ago.

larho01 10 Apr 2006

#16

Hi Stan,

I checked your CD and your gilded steel sorry, BRASS leg irons. They are VERY nice.

Lars

stan willis 10 Apr 2006

#17

Thanks Lars:
For all of you new people who don't know what a Bean Giant or a brass leg iron looks like, I sell a CD that has 1700 pictures of 1150 handcuffs, leg irons, thumbcuffs, nippers, and other restraints, and was revised last October. It is searchable by country or name. You can learn more at http://www.handcuffsandbadges.com Push the button for the "CD ROM" page. I have a few of the 2005 Escape Show version.
Stan

larho01 10 Apr 2006

#18

Stan's CD is a great opportunity for all beginners to learn a lot about vintage handcuffs and leg irons (and different kind of metals). After almost thirty years of collecting I find Stan's CD very comprehensive when checking unusual restraints. If you dont find a specific set of handcuffs or leg irons on his CD they are likely very rare. Order the CD today and save your time by waiting for the experts to answer your questions!

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

JDB 10 Apr 2006

#19

I supose that was a shot at me. Somone has to ask the tuogh questions around here. Someone has to hold the experts accountable. As the saying goes -- Theirs no so thing as a free lynch.

larho01 10 Apr 2006

#20

No there was no shot at all, only a good piece of advice. All of us have been beginners. See for yourself; me in 1978 with a very modest collection. At that time I thought there were maximum thirty different models made. . . Ohhh, I would like to get that slender again...

Lars

A newbie, 1978

Unresolved image reference ↗

stan willis 10 Apr 2006

#21

Slender again and that much hair again. I would not recognize you.
Stan

larho01 10 Apr 2006

#22

Stan, women I've known for long says I'm much more attractive now without that fur on my head Those of them that recogize me of course...