Smith&wesson

did smith & wesson ever make models 90's that are stamped on both sides of each cuff

Abit:

I’ve seen and collected quite a few model 90s in my time, but have yet to come across a set that had both sides of each cuff stamped, other than the serial number on the flipside of one of the cuffs. In every case that I recall, one cuff had the company logo, while the other had the “Made in U.S.A., Marcas Registradas, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass”. You can determine a range of years of manufacture by the type of ‘&’ sign used in the stamp.

Jason

did smith & wesson ever make models 90's that are stamped on both sides of each cuff

Hi Jason, perhaps you could enlighten those of us that have not aquired this knowledge of the ampersand? I have seen two types of fancy elongated ampersand as well as a normal one. Please... what are the date ranges?
Thanks!! Graham

did smith & wesson ever make models 90's that are stamped on both sides of each cuff

Hello Graham,

Thanks for reminding me about the 2 types of fancy, elongated ampersands. The more embellished of the 2 can be found on the first variant, distinguished by the slightly shorter, wider lock cases and groove indent being closer to the center of the cuff. This style made its debut in 1958, but I’m not sure exactly when or why the later form was adopted. I’m fairly certain that this change occurred in the 60’s, about when handcuffing with hands behind the back became the norm. One possibility is that the distance was increased to facilitate behind the back handcuffing on large people, though if so, why not simply elongate the chain?

As mentioned in the manufacturers questions thread, I’ve seen the second symbol on cuffs made as recently as 1976. My best guess is that the common ampersand was used from 1977 onward. Could it be that the older stamps simply wore out? This may be our only clue as to putting a date on the model 9x, since the serial numbers were apparently rehashed.

Regards,
Jason

did smith & wesson ever make models 90's that are stamped on both sides of each cuff

Ok, was looking at my early 90, and the & symbol has a slightly 'pregnant' ampersand.
My more modern 90 has a REALLY 'pregnant' ampersand. Is this your observations as well? It sounds almost opposite to you findings? Or have I not woken up today yet???

Graham

did smith & wesson ever make models 90's that are stamped on both sides of each cuff

Graham,

My apologies. I was posting from memory and had the situation reversed.
For comparison, the first version model 91 on the left, second version model 90 on the right. It should also be noted that the first version used different shaped swivels.

did smith & wesson ever make models 90's that are stamped on both sides of each cuff

Thanks Jason; I like those 91's... nice shine

did smith & wesson ever make models 90's that are stamped on both sides of each cuff

Here is another image illustrating the "lazy" ampersands. These also correlate to the address inscriptions on S&W firearms of similar vintage:



The image is made from two scans of S&W Model 90 handcuffs, the upper being the oldest.

Bumping up this post for James’ model 925.




Happy Holidays!


Jason

did smith & wesson ever make models 90's that are stamped on both sides of each cuff

Greetings fellow Smith & Wesson collectors:

Its been a while since Ive posted here, and Ive recently acquired a pair of Smith & Wesson 938 cuffs. When comparing my 938s with my other model 91 cuffs, I noticed that they have the first version lock cases though the detent is where it would be on the second series. These cuffs also have the small, common font ampersand in the name stamping.

Based on my findings and those of fellow collectors, Im now of the opinion that S&W may have or have had in the past several name stamps with different ampersands in operation at once. This would explain how my first version 938s have the same symbol used in my late 70s model 91s.

Please post any information relevant to dating vintage S&W cuffs. Yes, I know it pays to buy them a drink first.

Regards,
Jason