Reproduction Handcuffs or Original Handcuffs

anyone have opinions. on what is better to do i'm thinking of Buying older cuffs.but some of the reproductions cost more then some originals. some are not the same make and model of cuffs. Don,

Always go for originals, I can not think of any reproductions that sell for more than the originals. Having made and sold reproductions in the early 1980's (I limited my self to Guiteau, Mirror, Woods Chain cuffs, Hillyard and Clog Shackles) there is no way these repros are worth more than the originals. Without doubt the superb copies that Ian McColl produces will be collectors items in the future and they fill the gaps in collections like mine where I know there are only 2 or 3 originals known or where the handcuffs were patented but never comercially produced.
I was very surprised that the set of Hiatt 1960 pattern handcuffs with 3 cuffs that I put on ebay fetched such a high price this week. The problem here is was it a custom made item? - it was not a reproduction - it was stamped MET POLICE (this is a genuine stamping that Hiatt put on, I have visited their factory and seem 1960, 1970 and Speedcuffs with this stamping). BUT there are no records of this in their literature. Comments please.

anyone have opinions. on what is better to do i'm thinking of Buying older cuffs.but some of the reproductions cost more then some originals. some are not the same make and model of cuffs. Don,

I agree with Chris. No reproduction is worth more than the original. The only reason for making a reproduction is the fact that the original is not available or it is expensive.

However, the situation is a little different when it comes to copies. For example there is a copy of a Tower double locking handcuff. Some think it may have been made in Germany, but no one know for sure. This copy of a Tower would be worth more than an real Tower.

Joe

anyone have opinions. on what is better to do i'm thinking of Buying older cuffs.but some of the reproductions cost more then some originals. some are not the same make and model of cuffs. Don,

ok i have seen some reproductions at least $200.00 and above and pricing e-bay and by going by prices on here i found that some were lower on the originals but may not be the exact same make and model. i do see the pros and cons of having both original would be a wise choice for collecting handcuffs. and reproductions for that handcuff that might be un attainable or out of ones price range. also Escape artists i think are better off using a reproduction handcuff. just think if you had a original handcuff and they broke on you due to the age and condition. Don,