Peerless Patent Numbers and Stuff

Hi All:

After rearranging my sock drawer last night, I decided I'd try to put my Peerless cuffs in chronological order. The model 1 and model 2 were rather easy, but I'm getting truly confused with the Model 3.

Okay, it started out, around 1932 or so, with two patent numbers (1531451 and 1872857) both of which deal with lock mechanisms. All the early ones had a logo stamped on them and no detent; the dog that engages the groove on the pawl seems to be pressed into place from the inside on the cheek plate.

Now, along comes this group of cuffs stamped with the patent number 2,759,349 (a lock mechanism patent).

And here's where I start getting really confused.

From the serial numbers, the early patent number 2,759,349 cuffs have two "detents" in the body, but later ones have only one detent. The weird thing is that on the two detent cuffs, only the top detent actually goes through the cheek plate to create a dog that engages the pawl groove; the bottom one doesn't have a corresponding dog. Then, there's a group with one detent only, with a corresponding dog, and the 2,759,349 patent number.

Then, from what I can tell, based upon serial numbers, they go back to having the older 1531451-1872857 patent numbers, with one detent only.

Yeah, this is confusing. That's why I'm asking this, as best I can.

Okay, this little 2,759,349 patent number thing. Did Peerless try it for a while and later go back to the earlier type of lock mechanism? And why the two detents, one of which seems to do nothing, that later disappears?

I don't claim to have a comprehensive Peerless collection, but would like to. With the variations in patent numbers, detents, stampings on both cuffs or only one, MASS v. MA, # sign or not before the serial number, very late ones stamped "Model 300", etc., I'm trying to figure out just how many variations of the model 3 there are. I've determined at least 8 so far, but that's only on the standard cuff, and I'm not sure that's all there are. And when you throw in the aluminum and thin models, with all the different stampings and detents(at least from what I've got), it's rather fascinating.

Or perhaps tedious, depending upon your point of view.

I know that because of the huge number of cuffs Peerless made, many folks treat them as garbage. The only ones that seem to excite interest are the aluminum alloy ones, and I know of at least three variations in that group.

But what about the workhorse, the plain old model 3? They'll never make them again, and I'd appreciate any help any of you can give me to try to put together a full collection of that wonderful handcuff.

When you have collected all the models and
variations you can post your own guide as you
will probably know as much as anyone else on
the subject.

be happy that the Peerless cuffs are so
obtainable at fair market prices due to big
supply and ho hum demand.

Hi All:

After rearranging my sock drawer last night, I decided I'd try to put my Peerless cuffs in chronological order. The model 1 and model 2 were rather easy, but I'm getting truly confused with the Model 3.

Okay, it started out, around 1932 or so, with two patent numbers (1531451 and 1872857) both of which deal with lock mechanisms. All the early ones had a logo stamped on them and no detent; the dog that engages the groove on the pawl seems to be pressed into place from the inside on the cheek plate.

Now, along comes this group of cuffs stamped with the patent number 2,759,349 (a lock mechanism patent).

And here's where I start getting really confused.

From the serial numbers, the early patent number 2,759,349 cuffs have two "detents" in the body, but later ones have only one detent. The weird thing is that on the two detent cuffs, only the top detent actually goes through the cheek plate to create a dog that engages the pawl groove; the bottom one doesn't have a corresponding dog. Then, there's a group with one detent only, with a corresponding dog, and the 2,759,349 patent number.

Then, from what I can tell, based upon serial numbers, they go back to having the older 1531451-1872857 patent numbers, with one detent only.

Yeah, this is confusing. That's why I'm asking this, as best I can.

Okay, this little 2,759,349 patent number thing. Did Peerless try it for a while and later go back to the earlier type of lock mechanism? And why the two detents, one of which seems to do nothing, that later disappears?

I don't claim to have a comprehensive Peerless collection, but would like to. With the variations in patent numbers, detents, stampings on both cuffs or only one, MASS v. MA, # sign or not before the serial number, very late ones stamped "Model 300", etc., I'm trying to figure out just how many variations of the model 3 there are. I've determined at least 8 so far, but that's only on the standard cuff, and I'm not sure that's all there are. And when you throw in the aluminum and thin models, with all the different stampings and detents(at least from what I've got), it's rather fascinating.

Or perhaps tedious, depending upon your point of view.

I know that because of the huge number of cuffs Peerless made, many folks treat them as garbage. The only ones that seem to excite interest are the aluminum alloy ones, and I know of at least three variations in that group.

But what about the workhorse, the plain old model 3? They'll never make them again, and I'd appreciate any help any of you can give me to try to put together a full collection of that wonderful handcuff.

Click to expand...

Franklin

The Peerless Model numbers were never official, they are the numbers that Dick Norman gave them when he wrote a series of articles on handcuffs back in the mid-1950s. He named four models, 1, 2, 3 and the "new" model. This new model was the 2,759,349 patent model.

I understand the story the new model was not very reliable and they returned to the old model 3 design. They put back the old patent numbers even though they had been dropped before and were no longer current. I think they thought for marketing purposes it would be good to have patent numbers on their cuffs even if they were out of date.

Joe

P.S. Franklin - please send me a email.

Hi All:

After rearranging my sock drawer last night, I decided I'd try to put my Peerless cuffs in chronological order. The model 1 and model 2 were rather easy, but I'm getting truly confused with the Model 3.

Okay, it started out, around 1932 or so, with two patent numbers (1531451 and 1872857) both of which deal with lock mechanisms. All the early ones had a logo stamped on them and no detent; the dog that engages the groove on the pawl seems to be pressed into place from the inside on the cheek plate.

Now, along comes this group of cuffs stamped with the patent number 2,759,349 (a lock mechanism patent).

And here's where I start getting really confused.

From the serial numbers, the early patent number 2,759,349 cuffs have two "detents" in the body, but later ones have only one detent. The weird thing is that on the two detent cuffs, only the top detent actually goes through the cheek plate to create a dog that engages the pawl groove; the bottom one doesn't have a corresponding dog. Then, there's a group with one detent only, with a corresponding dog, and the 2,759,349 patent number.

Then, from what I can tell, based upon serial numbers, they go back to having the older 1531451-1872857 patent numbers, with one detent only.

Yeah, this is confusing. That's why I'm asking this, as best I can.

Okay, this little 2,759,349 patent number thing. Did Peerless try it for a while and later go back to the earlier type of lock mechanism? And why the two detents, one of which seems to do nothing, that later disappears?

I don't claim to have a comprehensive Peerless collection, but would like to. With the variations in patent numbers, detents, stampings on both cuffs or only one, MASS v. MA, # sign or not before the serial number, very late ones stamped "Model 300", etc., I'm trying to figure out just how many variations of the model 3 there are. I've determined at least 8 so far, but that's only on the standard cuff, and I'm not sure that's all there are. And when you throw in the aluminum and thin models, with all the different stampings and detents(at least from what I've got), it's rather fascinating.

Or perhaps tedious, depending upon your point of view.

I know that because of the huge number of cuffs Peerless made, many folks treat them as garbage. The only ones that seem to excite interest are the aluminum alloy ones, and I know of at least three variations in that group.

But what about the workhorse, the plain old model 3? They'll never make them again, and I'd appreciate any help any of you can give me to try to put together a full collection of that wonderful handcuff.

Click to expand...

Thanks Joe.

I rather thought the 2,759,349 lock mechanism was perhaps another blip on the Peerless radar screen. I've never worked up the nerve to pull the lock works out of one, but judging from the patent drawings, it strikes me as rather delicate and more prone to malfunction than the 1872857 lock mechanism.

I trust no one will shoot me if I refer to that cuff as a Model 4, which makes me rather happy since it means my Model 3 collection is perhaps more complete than I'd thought, but my Model 4 collection needs more help.

Okay, then on the Model 4: why the second detent that seems to have no functional purpose and later disappears? There had to be a reason (although not necessarily a good one) why the thing was put there.

Hi All:

After rearranging my sock drawer last night, I decided I'd try to put my Peerless cuffs in chronological order. The model 1 and model 2 were rather easy, but I'm getting truly confused with the Model 3.

Okay, it started out, around 1932 or so, with two patent numbers (1531451 and 1872857) both of which deal with lock mechanisms. All the early ones had a logo stamped on them and no detent; the dog that engages the groove on the pawl seems to be pressed into place from the inside on the cheek plate.

Now, along comes this group of cuffs stamped with the patent number 2,759,349 (a lock mechanism patent).

And here's where I start getting really confused.

From the serial numbers, the early patent number 2,759,349 cuffs have two "detents" in the body, but later ones have only one detent. The weird thing is that on the two detent cuffs, only the top detent actually goes through the cheek plate to create a dog that engages the pawl groove; the bottom one doesn't have a corresponding dog. Then, there's a group with one detent only, with a corresponding dog, and the 2,759,349 patent number.

Then, from what I can tell, based upon serial numbers, they go back to having the older 1531451-1872857 patent numbers, with one detent only.

Yeah, this is confusing. That's why I'm asking this, as best I can.

Okay, this little 2,759,349 patent number thing. Did Peerless try it for a while and later go back to the earlier type of lock mechanism? And why the two detents, one of which seems to do nothing, that later disappears?

I don't claim to have a comprehensive Peerless collection, but would like to. With the variations in patent numbers, detents, stampings on both cuffs or only one, MASS v. MA, # sign or not before the serial number, very late ones stamped "Model 300", etc., I'm trying to figure out just how many variations of the model 3 there are. I've determined at least 8 so far, but that's only on the standard cuff, and I'm not sure that's all there are. And when you throw in the aluminum and thin models, with all the different stampings and detents(at least from what I've got), it's rather fascinating.

Or perhaps tedious, depending upon your point of view.

I know that because of the huge number of cuffs Peerless made, many folks treat them as garbage. The only ones that seem to excite interest are the aluminum alloy ones, and I know of at least three variations in that group.

But what about the workhorse, the plain old model 3? They'll never make them again, and I'd appreciate any help any of you can give me to try to put together a full collection of that wonderful handcuff.

Click to expand...

Dear Franklin,

You can search patents both at Google, http://www.google.com/ptshp?tab=wt, and at the US Patent & Trademark Office site, http://www.uspto.gov/patft/.

For patent 2,759,349, the direct Google link is http://www.google.com/patents?id=FaFtAA ... =2,759,349 and the direct USPTO link is http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Pars ... %2F2759349.

Cheers,

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

Hi All:

After rearranging my sock drawer last night, I decided I'd try to put my Peerless cuffs in chronological order. The model 1 and model 2 were rather easy, but I'm getting truly confused with the Model 3.

Okay, it started out, around 1932 or so, with two patent numbers (1531451 and 1872857) both of which deal with lock mechanisms. All the early ones had a logo stamped on them and no detent; the dog that engages the groove on the pawl seems to be pressed into place from the inside on the cheek plate.

Now, along comes this group of cuffs stamped with the patent number 2,759,349 (a lock mechanism patent).

And here's where I start getting really confused.

From the serial numbers, the early patent number 2,759,349 cuffs have two "detents" in the body, but later ones have only one detent. The weird thing is that on the two detent cuffs, only the top detent actually goes through the cheek plate to create a dog that engages the pawl groove; the bottom one doesn't have a corresponding dog. Then, there's a group with one detent only, with a corresponding dog, and the 2,759,349 patent number.

Then, from what I can tell, based upon serial numbers, they go back to having the older 1531451-1872857 patent numbers, with one detent only.

Yeah, this is confusing. That's why I'm asking this, as best I can.

Okay, this little 2,759,349 patent number thing. Did Peerless try it for a while and later go back to the earlier type of lock mechanism? And why the two detents, one of which seems to do nothing, that later disappears?

I don't claim to have a comprehensive Peerless collection, but would like to. With the variations in patent numbers, detents, stampings on both cuffs or only one, MASS v. MA, # sign or not before the serial number, very late ones stamped "Model 300", etc., I'm trying to figure out just how many variations of the model 3 there are. I've determined at least 8 so far, but that's only on the standard cuff, and I'm not sure that's all there are. And when you throw in the aluminum and thin models, with all the different stampings and detents(at least from what I've got), it's rather fascinating.

Or perhaps tedious, depending upon your point of view.

I know that because of the huge number of cuffs Peerless made, many folks treat them as garbage. The only ones that seem to excite interest are the aluminum alloy ones, and I know of at least three variations in that group.

But what about the workhorse, the plain old model 3? They'll never make them again, and I'd appreciate any help any of you can give me to try to put together a full collection of that wonderful handcuff.

Click to expand...

It's late and my mind is failing fast so bear with me. The one you are now calling Model 4 has a little lever inside to lift the spring loaded pin that engaged a hole in the double lock bar. The model 2 & 3 just has a rounded or V notch to hold it in place. The idea was to make it harder to disengage the double lock. The key as it is rotated pushes down on the lever and lifts the pin out of the hold and the continues around to move the double lock bar back to the single lock position. I remember seeing somewhere that the key also could be notched so that the standard key could not be used and had a ward in some models. They quickly discontinued the use of the ward and the lock because the ward would get broken by a standard key that was forced and then cause the lock to jam. It was a nice idea, just not practical to make reliable and fail safe enough to keep manufacturing.

-Dorson

Hi All:

After rearranging my sock drawer last night, I decided I'd try to put my Peerless cuffs in chronological order. The model 1 and model 2 were rather easy, but I'm getting truly confused with the Model 3.

Okay, it started out, around 1932 or so, with two patent numbers (1531451 and 1872857) both of which deal with lock mechanisms. All the early ones had a logo stamped on them and no detent; the dog that engages the groove on the pawl seems to be pressed into place from the inside on the cheek plate.

Now, along comes this group of cuffs stamped with the patent number 2,759,349 (a lock mechanism patent).

And here's where I start getting really confused.

From the serial numbers, the early patent number 2,759,349 cuffs have two "detents" in the body, but later ones have only one detent. The weird thing is that on the two detent cuffs, only the top detent actually goes through the cheek plate to create a dog that engages the pawl groove; the bottom one doesn't have a corresponding dog. Then, there's a group with one detent only, with a corresponding dog, and the 2,759,349 patent number.

Then, from what I can tell, based upon serial numbers, they go back to having the older 1531451-1872857 patent numbers, with one detent only.

Yeah, this is confusing. That's why I'm asking this, as best I can.

Okay, this little 2,759,349 patent number thing. Did Peerless try it for a while and later go back to the earlier type of lock mechanism? And why the two detents, one of which seems to do nothing, that later disappears?

I don't claim to have a comprehensive Peerless collection, but would like to. With the variations in patent numbers, detents, stampings on both cuffs or only one, MASS v. MA, # sign or not before the serial number, very late ones stamped "Model 300", etc., I'm trying to figure out just how many variations of the model 3 there are. I've determined at least 8 so far, but that's only on the standard cuff, and I'm not sure that's all there are. And when you throw in the aluminum and thin models, with all the different stampings and detents(at least from what I've got), it's rather fascinating.

Or perhaps tedious, depending upon your point of view.

I know that because of the huge number of cuffs Peerless made, many folks treat them as garbage. The only ones that seem to excite interest are the aluminum alloy ones, and I know of at least three variations in that group.

But what about the workhorse, the plain old model 3? They'll never make them again, and I'd appreciate any help any of you can give me to try to put together a full collection of that wonderful handcuff.

Click to expand...

From time to time, there are things we should say, very much ought to say, but do not.

And, perhaps those we say the least to are those we should say the most to.

So, with that being said,

Hey there Mr. Tanis and Dorson:

After much careful condideration, I decided, "What the hell?" Those Peerless cuffs are less threatening to me than that damned embalmed frog was in biology class when I was a sophomore in high school.

So, I've spent a wonderful time this evening, disecting Peerless cuffs, comparing what I've found to the diagrams in patent drawings and such.

I've found that the insides of those Peerless cuffs to be much more fascinating than anything my high school biology teacher tried to instruct me about the inside guts of an amphibian.

And, unlike that stupid frog, I can put those cuffs back together again.

Or, at least I think I can.

Maybe.

Even if I can't, those cuffs ain't gonna be any more dead than that stupid frog was thirty-something years ago.

Thanks guys!

Hi All:

After rearranging my sock drawer last night, I decided I'd try to put my Peerless cuffs in chronological order. The model 1 and model 2 were rather easy, but I'm getting truly confused with the Model 3.

Okay, it started out, around 1932 or so, with two patent numbers (1531451 and 1872857) both of which deal with lock mechanisms. All the early ones had a logo stamped on them and no detent; the dog that engages the groove on the pawl seems to be pressed into place from the inside on the cheek plate.

Now, along comes this group of cuffs stamped with the patent number 2,759,349 (a lock mechanism patent).

And here's where I start getting really confused.

From the serial numbers, the early patent number 2,759,349 cuffs have two "detents" in the body, but later ones have only one detent. The weird thing is that on the two detent cuffs, only the top detent actually goes through the cheek plate to create a dog that engages the pawl groove; the bottom one doesn't have a corresponding dog. Then, there's a group with one detent only, with a corresponding dog, and the 2,759,349 patent number.

Then, from what I can tell, based upon serial numbers, they go back to having the older 1531451-1872857 patent numbers, with one detent only.

Yeah, this is confusing. That's why I'm asking this, as best I can.

Okay, this little 2,759,349 patent number thing. Did Peerless try it for a while and later go back to the earlier type of lock mechanism? And why the two detents, one of which seems to do nothing, that later disappears?

I don't claim to have a comprehensive Peerless collection, but would like to. With the variations in patent numbers, detents, stampings on both cuffs or only one, MASS v. MA, # sign or not before the serial number, very late ones stamped "Model 300", etc., I'm trying to figure out just how many variations of the model 3 there are. I've determined at least 8 so far, but that's only on the standard cuff, and I'm not sure that's all there are. And when you throw in the aluminum and thin models, with all the different stampings and detents(at least from what I've got), it's rather fascinating.

Or perhaps tedious, depending upon your point of view.

I know that because of the huge number of cuffs Peerless made, many folks treat them as garbage. The only ones that seem to excite interest are the aluminum alloy ones, and I know of at least three variations in that group.

But what about the workhorse, the plain old model 3? They'll never make them again, and I'd appreciate any help any of you can give me to try to put together a full collection of that wonderful handcuff.

Click to expand...

Can You post pictures of the cuffs taken apart
Dennisweb

Hi All:

After rearranging my sock drawer last night, I decided I'd try to put my Peerless cuffs in chronological order. The model 1 and model 2 were rather easy, but I'm getting truly confused with the Model 3.

Okay, it started out, around 1932 or so, with two patent numbers (1531451 and 1872857) both of which deal with lock mechanisms. All the early ones had a logo stamped on them and no detent; the dog that engages the groove on the pawl seems to be pressed into place from the inside on the cheek plate.

Now, along comes this group of cuffs stamped with the patent number 2,759,349 (a lock mechanism patent).

And here's where I start getting really confused.

From the serial numbers, the early patent number 2,759,349 cuffs have two "detents" in the body, but later ones have only one detent. The weird thing is that on the two detent cuffs, only the top detent actually goes through the cheek plate to create a dog that engages the pawl groove; the bottom one doesn't have a corresponding dog. Then, there's a group with one detent only, with a corresponding dog, and the 2,759,349 patent number.

Then, from what I can tell, based upon serial numbers, they go back to having the older 1531451-1872857 patent numbers, with one detent only.

Yeah, this is confusing. That's why I'm asking this, as best I can.

Okay, this little 2,759,349 patent number thing. Did Peerless try it for a while and later go back to the earlier type of lock mechanism? And why the two detents, one of which seems to do nothing, that later disappears?

I don't claim to have a comprehensive Peerless collection, but would like to. With the variations in patent numbers, detents, stampings on both cuffs or only one, MASS v. MA, # sign or not before the serial number, very late ones stamped "Model 300", etc., I'm trying to figure out just how many variations of the model 3 there are. I've determined at least 8 so far, but that's only on the standard cuff, and I'm not sure that's all there are. And when you throw in the aluminum and thin models, with all the different stampings and detents(at least from what I've got), it's rather fascinating.

Or perhaps tedious, depending upon your point of view.

I know that because of the huge number of cuffs Peerless made, many folks treat them as garbage. The only ones that seem to excite interest are the aluminum alloy ones, and I know of at least three variations in that group.

But what about the workhorse, the plain old model 3? They'll never make them again, and I'd appreciate any help any of you can give me to try to put together a full collection of that wonderful handcuff.

Click to expand...

Hi DENNISWEB:

Unfortunately, I don't have a digital camera. I'll see if I can borrow one.

Hi All:

After rearranging my sock drawer last night, I decided I'd try to put my Peerless cuffs in chronological order. The model 1 and model 2 were rather easy, but I'm getting truly confused with the Model 3.

Okay, it started out, around 1932 or so, with two patent numbers (1531451 and 1872857) both of which deal with lock mechanisms. All the early ones had a logo stamped on them and no detent; the dog that engages the groove on the pawl seems to be pressed into place from the inside on the cheek plate.

Now, along comes this group of cuffs stamped with the patent number 2,759,349 (a lock mechanism patent).

And here's where I start getting really confused.

From the serial numbers, the early patent number 2,759,349 cuffs have two "detents" in the body, but later ones have only one detent. The weird thing is that on the two detent cuffs, only the top detent actually goes through the cheek plate to create a dog that engages the pawl groove; the bottom one doesn't have a corresponding dog. Then, there's a group with one detent only, with a corresponding dog, and the 2,759,349 patent number.

Then, from what I can tell, based upon serial numbers, they go back to having the older 1531451-1872857 patent numbers, with one detent only.

Yeah, this is confusing. That's why I'm asking this, as best I can.

Okay, this little 2,759,349 patent number thing. Did Peerless try it for a while and later go back to the earlier type of lock mechanism? And why the two detents, one of which seems to do nothing, that later disappears?

I don't claim to have a comprehensive Peerless collection, but would like to. With the variations in patent numbers, detents, stampings on both cuffs or only one, MASS v. MA, # sign or not before the serial number, very late ones stamped "Model 300", etc., I'm trying to figure out just how many variations of the model 3 there are. I've determined at least 8 so far, but that's only on the standard cuff, and I'm not sure that's all there are. And when you throw in the aluminum and thin models, with all the different stampings and detents(at least from what I've got), it's rather fascinating.

Or perhaps tedious, depending upon your point of view.

I know that because of the huge number of cuffs Peerless made, many folks treat them as garbage. The only ones that seem to excite interest are the aluminum alloy ones, and I know of at least three variations in that group.

But what about the workhorse, the plain old model 3? They'll never make them again, and I'd appreciate any help any of you can give me to try to put together a full collection of that wonderful handcuff.

Click to expand...

Franklin,
I don't have your email but feel free to email me and see if the internals are like what you see on this yahoo group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Handcuffa ... collectors

If you do get pictures, I will post them to that yahoo group for future reference.

-Dorson