peerless

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

Hello Art,

I would say that if you had set of Peerless Model 300 Handcuffs that they would be Stamped as such.

Go here to figure out what model you have..

http://www.handcuffs.org/peerless/

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

I have many model 300 and only one is stamped model 300.

email peerless !!!! they will give you the info based on serial #.

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

It seems the folks at Peerless always liked to keep things simple and merely called their product “handcuffs” without any model designation. Later, when they introduced a hinged model, they called them “hinged handcuffs,” and so too with their “belly chain” and “leg irons.” It was not until the NIJ standards were introduced in 1982 did Peerless assign model numbers to their products since a model designation was required as part of the certification procedure.

When the “model 300” was first introduced, it was informally referred to as either the “new model” or the “model 3” to distinguish it from the model 1 (using a bit key that double locked with the key) and the later model 2 (using a bit key but double locked with a push pin). As far as I've been able to tell, from the beginning to the end of production, the model 3 was always stamped with the two patent numbers 1531451 and 1872857.

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

Between the cuffs with the 2 patent numbers and the marked model 300 there were 3 variations that were marked "PAT.2,759,349 MADE IN U.S.A."
One variation was the Aluminium cuff. Another was the same cuff as earlier models on the outside, but there were changes to the locking mechanism. The rarest variation also has 2 round detents (instead of just one) on the face and on the rear of the lockcase.
The early model folding cuffs did not have a model number and were marked "PATENTED", but not "MADE IN U.S.A." After the first few thousand were made, they added the "MADE IN U.S.A."
Stan

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

Stan:

When you use the term "folding" handcuffs, are you referring to what I would call the hinged type (Model 301)?

As for the patent 2,259,349 with two detents, the only ones I've got are the aluminum alloy cuffs.

If you've got a standard set of post war 10 oz. cuffs with two detents . . . uhhh, may I perhaps interest you in trading them for my nephew?

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

Yes:
I think the terms folding and hinged are pretty much interchangeable when it comes to cuffs. I think I will keep the cuff. It can sit here for years and not cost me a dime. Your nephew could be expensive to feed.
Stan

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

One more comment. I'm not sure which war "post war" Peerless refers to. The barrel key Peerless was introduced in 1932.

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

Hi Stan:

By post war I was referring to the "10 oz." cuff (actually 9.5 oz.) that was slimmed down from the first model 3 after World War II when they also dropped the logo.

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

Not sure where your information is coming from, but I would like very much to find out, and to see a 3rd model (barrel key) Peerless cuff heavier than 10 (or 10.50 oz.)
The solid key model weighed 12 oz. When the barrel key model was introduced March 1st, 1932, it was billed as the new 10 oz. cuff. All the ads I have between 1932 and 1980's advertises them as 10 oz., (except for the 4.5 oz and 7.5 oz. models). I have cuffs made before WWII that weigh 10 oz and have the logo, and some made after WWII that weigh 10 oz. and have the logo. Some later cuffs did not have the logo, but I can't find anything that says it was removed during WWII.
I can post the 1932 ad if you want to see it.
Stan

can any one help me figure out if this peerless handcuffs are model 300
1531451-1872857 thaks

Stan:

I wasn't very precise in using the term "post war". I think it was around 1950 that Peerless moved from 91 Dwight Street to 95 State Street, which I believe was the time the logo got dropped and they changed from the old dark brown boxes to the tan boxes. From the ones I have, it seems they also changed the serial number font (a little larger).

If you place a logo model 3 on a flat surface with a later non-logo model 3, double bows to double bows, you can see that the older one is slightly thicker. On my little rinky dink postage scale, I weighed five of each and the older logo ones all weigh around 10.4 oz while the later non-logos weigh in at 9.5. Overall, not a lot of difference, but it is there.

While I never bothered to ask Peerless, I suspect the variety of changes from the original model 3 were all about cost cutting. The logo disappears, which saves a few seconds of labor and the cost of the stamping machine. The anti-shim notch on the ratchet disappears and the detent appears, which was a simpler way to manufacture the dog that engages the ditch on the pawl. Previously, it looks like they had been drilling a shallow hole and inserting a pin.

Anyway, thanks for the information about the patent 2,759,349 variations; just something else to be on the lookout for.