The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

Adams Handcuff with a Swivel

20 visible archived posts · 20 preserved total · topic ID 1816

lauher 18 Feb 2007

Brad recently asked for a picture of the Adams on a swivel.
Here it is along with two examples of "regular" Adams cuffs.

Top cuff: Adams on a swivel. No markings
Middle cuff: Matching Adams with rings. Marked "Patent Applied For"
Bottom cuff: Smaller version with rings. Marked "Patent Applied For"

Joe

Stan Willis 18 Feb 2007

Hi Joe:
How is the smaller Adams marked? I don't recall seeing this version til now.
thanks
Stan

michael griffin 18 Feb 2007

Hi Joe:
cool cuff. I am wondering how possible is it that somewhere along the line the swivel was added to replace or join 2 broken cuffs?
the reason I ask is that during the travels, it is not terribly unusual to see these types of "repairs" as it was more cost effetive than to replace
my 2 cents
michael

Stan Willis 18 Feb 2007

Michael:
You are alive. It would be nice if you would answer people who make you offers on your cuffs, and let them know what is going on.
Stan

Patches 18 Feb 2007

Applaudes Stan

lauher 18 Feb 2007

Mike
I thought it might be a repair, but the entire feel of the cuff is a bit different. More rounded and the plating seems to be uniform. I am not sure, but I don't think it is a repair job.

Stan
I did not know the smaller cuff was so unusual. It has the common "Patent Applied For" marking.
I don't remember seeing the smaller version with the Patent Date. Does anyone have one?

Joe

larho01 18 Feb 2007

Joe,
For some reason the swivel looks very familiar to me. Is it the same model as on Bockin?

Lars

Mark Lyons 18 Feb 2007

Joe, you just had to post those gorgeous cuffs for me to see every time I enter this site, didn't you?
Go ahead add the salt to my wound!

mark
O--O

Brad Darling 19 Feb 2007

Joe, thanks so much for posting those. I'm glad I asked. The things you've never seen in this world...

I am inclined to agree with Joe that the swivel models are right as can be. I have been comparing to my nickel plated Adams and they look consistent. I don't think that a period modification, which that would have had to have been, would have been done with such care or any interest in making it "look right".

As to the small ones, Joe, how exactly are they smaller? Just a shorter bow? Are there less notches or the same number. Is the fixed side with lockcase shorter in overall length than the std?

Thanks again,
Brad

Brad 19 Feb 2007

#10

Upon looking again, I see that the overall length of the lockcase arm appears to have been shortened, not by removing material, but by increasing the the degree of the arcs of the bends on the arm.

Is that correct? Are they shorter overall, but the same if you measured along the surface following the contours?

B.

Stan Willis 19 Feb 2007

#11

I think most Adams are marked "Patent Applied For" or "Adams Pat. June 17, 1862". There is also the unmarked version, and I have one marked "PATD. April 24, 1862". I cannot find the patent with that date.
I also have a Patent Applied for that is also marked "G.H. THAYER".
The Patent applied for models have more grooves in the bow than the Patented models. Does anyone have an adams with other markings ?
Stan

Brad 19 Feb 2007

#12

Stan, I went through my patent records and I found a reissue application for April 5, 1864. It is assigned number 1650 as a reissue to the original, 35,576.

The patent drawings are the same and nothing seems to stand out in the patent letter except that instead of Williams, the applicant is George W. Reed of NY, although it is a rewrite and not a word-for-word. The only purpose of the application seems to be to establish Reed as the assignee of Adams patent, post issuance and commencement of production rather than at the time of issuance as is typical.

Is there any chance your April 24, 1862 could actually be April 5, 1864?

If so that certainly is the only set I've ever heard of with the reissue date on them (it pretty much was a non-event). If not, it's REALLY weird.

Can fax or try to get downloads to email to you if you need.

Brad

Brad 19 Feb 2007

#13

I hate demons. I read my prior post ten times and it looked okay. After posting I noticed that I had the orignal patent holder (para 2) as "Williams". It is, of course, "William Adams".

Little buggers...

B.

Joe Lauher 19 Feb 2007

#14

Brad
You are correct that the smaller one has a slightly different curvature, but the lock case itself is just slightly smaller. The orientation of the key hole is also slightly different, more in the middle.
Joe

Stan Willis 19 Feb 2007

#15

The patent date on the cuff is very clear. April 24, 1862. The re-issue is shown in Modern Handcuff Secrets, but I cn't find anything for the April 24 date. The date is stamped on only one bow, and not both bows like the other patent adams cuffs.

Brad 20 Feb 2007

#16

Joe, it looks like just the increase of the arcs of the curvatures could have been enough to rotate the keyway. Thus keeping all the internal geometrics the same, except for the bow passage tunnel.

However, now that you've pointed it out, the lockcase is clearly a bit smaller and, it looks from the pics, like it may be a bit more ovoid in shape than the std.

Stan and Mark and I want to buy out your collection.

Brad 20 Feb 2007

#17

Stan, maybe you've already done this, but I gave it a try.

As you know, in the old days the USPO saved up a bunch of stuff and then issued all the patents on one day, apparently whenever they got around to it.

The only thing I can find is that no patents were isued on April 24, 1862.

Factory boo-boo?

Brad

Gordon 23 Feb 2007

#18

I have an Adams with 2 patent dates Pat. April 24 1862 and
Pat. June 17 1862. I think that Joe may have posted a picture of
this a few years ago.I am wondering why no one has not mentioned
the notches in the bows. From the cuffs that I have seen the
Patent Applied For models have 18 small notches in the bow and
the cuffs with a patent date have 8 larger notches. With markings
there always will be exceptions.

Gordon

Anonymous 04 Jan 2012

#19

I wonder how many of these are around with a swivel

Anonymous 04 Jan 2012

#20

Only 2 are known.