H&R Super cuff question

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

Brad Darling - this one's for you ......

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

Hi Rick,

You're right there are only two "models". The distinguishing feature is the "anti-shimming" "anti-spreading" "anti-picking" groove in the bows. Pick the term you like best, the groove was to prevent pushing the bow down far enough to clear it from the locking bolt and opening the cuff, and to make shimming more difficult. The groove was commonly seen on many of the better cuffs of the era and now are pretty much on everything.

There really aren't models, as the factory never distinguished between the "with" and "without" versions as separate models, those were just engineering milestones. "Models" is just a term collectors came up with to distinguish the two major variations.

Within what is called the first model there is a variety of engineering changes that show as differences in appearances of the cuffs (see Handcuff Annual 2006 for details). There are a couple variants in the second model (ibid).

However the only thing that defines the difference currently is the groove.

Good hunting,
Brad

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

So would you say cuffs without the grove would be older makes?

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

By the way, what kind of key do they take?.. anyone have a pic? I tinker with the cuffs I get that dont come with keys, to see If I can "pick" them. But the mechanism is kinda strange. There seems to be a spring loaded pin in the center that locks the bow when pushed. Maybe if I had a look at the key might help..

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

Keys are sold at www.cannonsgreatescapes.net, much easier to buy than make.

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

I dont really want to make one, I just want to see if I can pick them. I figured seeing a pic of the key might help. I have that site bookmarked from a previous pair thanks.

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

Yup, Rick, the groove was a latter day improvement in the life of the H&R production. It was probably only in the last few years of production, but production was much higher then, so the non-grooves are older and, most of us believe, scarcer. That just by comparison of what shows up.

The life span of production was only about 17 years. Nobody, as of yet has located any factory production info. But we can always hope something eventually shows up.

I can't tell from your mail or not, if you have figured out that the key hole is at the top of the lockcase where the swivel goes over at 90 degrees.

The key is a cylinder about 1 1/2" long that goes down into the hole. It has a slot cut across the end, which engages a rotating abutment that, when rotated cams up and releases the "locking dog" (locking bolt).

They aren't hard to make, but buying one from Cannon's is easier.

B.

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

Actually I just picked them, Using a antennae tube from an ole scanner and my dremmel. I will order a key now I guess.

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

Rick, I sent some real high quality up close pictures to your Email. I tried to post them on here but that Bucket program has not worked for me but one time since I first tried to use it.

I sent 4 photos so it may take some time to open if you have a dial up connection, but you will like what you see. I have looked at the key real hard and believe one can be made very easily out of a value steam tool. They look exactly the same, except you would have to remove a little material on the end.

Hope you like the pictures,

James Brown

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

Thanks! I will check them out!

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

I recently bought a pair of H&R Supercuffs and was just curious, why do some have a grove cut in the swing arm part and others dont? From what I can find there only seem to be 2 models of the super cuffs, Just curious.

please can we reduce the size of the pictures, bulky monitor just cant cope!......lol...ttfn.chris