What are these?

Can anyone give me any info on these antique cuffs? I know they are called a "come along" but that's the extent of my knowledge. I don't see any markings or numbers on these. Thanks for any help.

They are also known as "Twisters" as they are applied and turned to tighten up.

-Dorson

Can anyone give me any info on these antique cuffs? I know they are called a "come along" but that's the extent of my knowledge. I don't see any markings or numbers on these. Thanks for any help.

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They're also called Chain Nippers or Come Alongs. Thay're a police compliance device. In use, the chain is wrapped around the subject's wrist. With practice, you can toss one end around the wrist and catch it, one handed. The handles interlock. Twisting the chains give the prisoner incentive to come along peacefully.

The Iron Claw type nippers are more sophisticated, but heavier and more expensive. I suspect they're all considered inhumane, now.

Can anyone give me any info on these antique cuffs? I know they are called a "come along" but that's the extent of my knowledge. I don't see any markings or numbers on these. Thanks for any help.

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Thanks so much for your response!

Can anyone give me any info on these antique cuffs? I know they are called a "come along" but that's the extent of my knowledge. I don't see any markings or numbers on these. Thanks for any help.

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Dear Heather,

Your chain come along is American, dating from the third quarter of the last century. It is perhaps the most frequently found design, having been the last chain come along to be produced in large quantities in the US. I have not seen marked examples of these.

Although some law enforcement departments did prohibit nippers, chain, mechanical or both, those were local or regional matters. No widespread ban ever existed. Whatever injury to a person a come along can cause can be caused just as easily by a handcuffs. With advances in law enforcement procedures, equipment and other resources, the nipper became obsolete.



Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm