locking mechanism?

Hi,

This may be a silly question...I recently got myself a pair of handcuffs that look a lot like the chubbs darby kind (but all it said with them was 'vintage' so I'm not sure). There's one key with it. One of the locking mechanisms is fine, no problems, but the other one snaps open without having to put too much pressure on it. Ie, if wrist is pressing out.

This is with the key totally removed, and it well closed when doing so so I assume it was well closed. I've tried this several times now, just to make sure it wasn't a once off 'badly closed' problem on my part.

Does anybody have an suggestions how to salvage this, as I spent a good portion of my dinner money (I'm a postgrad student) on these, and I'm feeling a bit conned right now - I want them for use, not show only!

Cheers
Cait

if it helps any:
One lock is marked RCS 1953 - the year I presume?
the other is 21c with a line under it and 247 and under that a 3. also, while te side that closes well seems to 'snap' shut, the other end doesn't seem to make a sound?

Hi,

This may be a silly question...I recently got myself a pair of handcuffs that look a lot like the chubbs darby kind (but all it said with them was 'vintage' so I'm not sure). There's one key with it. One of the locking mechanisms is fine, no problems, but the other one snaps open without having to put too much pressure on it. Ie, if wrist is pressing out.

This is with the key totally removed, and it well closed when doing so so I assume it was well closed. I've tried this several times now, just to make sure it wasn't a once off 'badly closed' problem on my part.

Does anybody have an suggestions how to salvage this, as I spent a good portion of my dinner money (I'm a postgrad student) on these, and I'm feeling a bit conned right now - I want them for use, not show only!

Cheers
Cait

Click to expand...

Cait,

It sounds to me like one of your cuffs has the bolt stuck (possibly rusted) in the open position. You could try thoroughly soaking the frozen bolt in WD-40 or similar for a couple of days. If the spring isn’t broken, you should eventually be able to free it, and the cuff will lock/unlock properly.

Good luck, and let us know how you make out…

Jason

Hi,

This may be a silly question...I recently got myself a pair of handcuffs that look a lot like the chubbs darby kind (but all it said with them was 'vintage' so I'm not sure). There's one key with it. One of the locking mechanisms is fine, no problems, but the other one snaps open without having to put too much pressure on it. Ie, if wrist is pressing out.

This is with the key totally removed, and it well closed when doing so so I assume it was well closed. I've tried this several times now, just to make sure it wasn't a once off 'badly closed' problem on my part.

Does anybody have an suggestions how to salvage this, as I spent a good portion of my dinner money (I'm a postgrad student) on these, and I'm feeling a bit conned right now - I want them for use, not show only!

Cheers
Cait

Click to expand...

RCS = Ruben Craddock & Sons, although I may have but=chered the spelling. They're reputable enough, but 1954 is hardly "vintage" by my book.

The technique of shooting the inoperative side with penetrating oil is about as good as I could suggest. I like "Kroil" better then WD-40 for that purpose. You can find the stuff on line. It's sold directly by the manufaturer.

Hi,

This may be a silly question...I recently got myself a pair of handcuffs that look a lot like the chubbs darby kind (but all it said with them was 'vintage' so I'm not sure). There's one key with it. One of the locking mechanisms is fine, no problems, but the other one snaps open without having to put too much pressure on it. Ie, if wrist is pressing out.

This is with the key totally removed, and it well closed when doing so so I assume it was well closed. I've tried this several times now, just to make sure it wasn't a once off 'badly closed' problem on my part.

Does anybody have an suggestions how to salvage this, as I spent a good portion of my dinner money (I'm a postgrad student) on these, and I'm feeling a bit conned right now - I want them for use, not show only!

Cheers
Cait

Click to expand...

If the bolt is sticking in a open like position, then it should be visable. hold both lock cases side by side and look into the opening where the bolt catches the bow. If one is sticking, then it will be somewhat retracted as compared to the other lock and usually the tip of the bolt is touching the plug of the lock case.

-Dorson

Hi,

This may be a silly question...I recently got myself a pair of handcuffs that look a lot like the chubbs darby kind (but all it said with them was 'vintage' so I'm not sure). There's one key with it. One of the locking mechanisms is fine, no problems, but the other one snaps open without having to put too much pressure on it. Ie, if wrist is pressing out.

This is with the key totally removed, and it well closed when doing so so I assume it was well closed. I've tried this several times now, just to make sure it wasn't a once off 'badly closed' problem on my part.

Does anybody have an suggestions how to salvage this, as I spent a good portion of my dinner money (I'm a postgrad student) on these, and I'm feeling a bit conned right now - I want them for use, not show only!

Cheers
Cait

Click to expand...

That's what I get for being new at this I guess...and the merchant is taking no responsibility...not happy with him.

The bolt does appear to close, and it does appear to close completely (visually). Light pressure it still stays closed but anything more than that it snaps open so the bolt is actually keeping it shut initially, I guess.

Hi,

This may be a silly question...I recently got myself a pair of handcuffs that look a lot like the chubbs darby kind (but all it said with them was 'vintage' so I'm not sure). There's one key with it. One of the locking mechanisms is fine, no problems, but the other one snaps open without having to put too much pressure on it. Ie, if wrist is pressing out.

This is with the key totally removed, and it well closed when doing so so I assume it was well closed. I've tried this several times now, just to make sure it wasn't a once off 'badly closed' problem on my part.

Does anybody have an suggestions how to salvage this, as I spent a good portion of my dinner money (I'm a postgrad student) on these, and I'm feeling a bit conned right now - I want them for use, not show only!

Cheers
Cait

Click to expand...

Another possibility is that the cuff was gimmicked or tricked for magic show.