Dollar Cuff--Third Model

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Hi Ron,

Nobody knows but I doubt they are of Russian origin. First, I think the quality in general is too good compared to other Russian cuffs I’ve come through during the years. Second, the Dollar cuffs I know about have been sold from Germany, Italy and England. I have never heard about a specimen sold from Russia. A friend of mine is helping me to make a working key for the flat key version. He is a long time lock collector with a lot of knowledge about locks from all over the world. He told me that the lock construction of the flat version is very clever with a low tolerance. Two levers inside the lock have to be pressed at the same time to release the lock. The construction seems to be a bit too good to be Russian.

Lars

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

I have always felt that the construction is too good to be from Russia as well.

The quality of the lock and overall construction combined with the fact that a number of old time German cuffs like the "Berliner" models did not use chain bewteen the cuffs but instead locked the hands in a rigid configuration makes me lean to the possibility that the dollar sign cuffs are a German design.

Steve Santini

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

I heard two different stories, which could bring us nearer to the origin of these unusual cuffs.

1. some years ago I was told that a former Luftwaffe pilot said that these cuffs were made in German POW camps during WWII.

2. an Italian dealer for military items, from whom I bought two $handcuffs, told me that they were found in a hut near the river Ticino in Piedmont (Northern Italy). There they were left by the Austrian-Hungarian army who fought in this region against Piedmont troops without success in WWI.

Personally I prefer the second story, because the Italian seller had several of these cuffs for sale. Moreover they sporadically turn up at Italian eBay. I guess that I have seen more of these cuffs for sale in Italy than in Germany.

Best regards,
Guenter

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

Hello,
ich have not enough knowledge of typical russian locks but i think, locks seem to be made in germany or austria with more probability. I have purchased a dollar cuff with barrel key lock but lock was not working properly. So i had repaired it. Now there are pictures from inside of lock, you can see them at http://www.handschellenforum.de/forum/v ... m.php?f=30 but text is in german. Parts of lock looks similar like parts of old german locks. But i dont know mechanics inside russian locks, so cuffs can also be russian.

Lock parts are stacked one over the other. At bottom is locking disc, it has outside lever (i had to make a new lever because old one was broken) and fix lock case to bow when rotated counterclockwise. Over this locking disc is a separator disk holding two levers blocking locking disc when cuff is locked. They have to be pushed away at the same time by opposite pins of key, a third pin at the end rotates locking disc open, you need not to push at the outside lever (this lever is to shut lock without key).

Best regards
Andy-58

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

HI !! all....according to my records DIETER PAPROTKA of WEST BERLIN - GERMANY in 1964 stated that the DOLLAR SIGN handcuff comes from the Peoples police HERE in the DDR & used during the 1st years of WWII...that it IS an EAST GERMAN cuff & MOST PROBABLY RUSSIAN make ----- what could the word - MAKE - mean ??? the word MAKE may mean that it IS Russian made or made by the Germans during the war..... joe

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

I don't know who Dieter Paprotka was, but that doesn't make any sense at all. There was no DDR, or "People's Police", until well AFTER World War II.

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

FELIX ??? or whoever as i doubt that you are really felix ::: i will state that what i wrote was a direct quote, but maybe SHE meant that -- THAT particular cuff that my father in law received from DIETER came from the PEOPLES POLICE -- IE::: the DDR that was THEN ...does that help your brain... certainly hope so.... joe

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

Hello Joe,

I think that Mr. Paprotka is not completely correct. If the handcuff would have been made in the former GDR (East Germany) it could not be WWII, because the GDR did not exist before 1949, 4 years after WWII ended.

It is of course possible that the GDR police used old WWII handcuffs in the early years. Nevertheless they are not Russian made than, because the Soviets invaded Germany in 1945 and if the cuffs are older (what I believe) they are most probably of German or Austrian origin.

Best regards,
Guenter

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

Despite I do not believe in a Russian origin of the Dollar-Handcuff: why do you think that the Russians would not have been able to make such a restraint/lock? We are not speaking of an African tribe. The Russian had great technology in WWII, e.g. their PPSH 41 machine pistol was superior to the German MP 40, so that the Germans even try to copy this weapon and adapt it for 9mm ammunition, without success. I guess the Russians should have really been able to make a good handcuff!

Best regards,
Guenter

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

Hello Guenter,

As I stated in my posting; I'm not very impressed by the quality of the vintage Russian cuffs I've seen, most of them are pretty crudely made and they lack the craftsmanship compared to for instance German cuffs from the same era. I have one non-swingthrough cuff that originates from the late Timo Tuomivaara Collection and the seller told me that Timo referred to it as the "Stalin cuff" . It's very well made but it's not clear that it really is of Russian origin (picture below). I have no knowledge about Russian weapon technology; my opinion is only based on the vintage Russian cuffs I've seen during the years. Right or wrong?

Russian or not?

Lars

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

To add a bit to this,

I have, over the last 20 or so years been fortunate to both find and own a number of older Russian made padlocks and restraints dating to the pre 1900 period.

Some much older and dating to the 1800's and 1700's.

On many of these, the padlocks especially, the level of craftmanship has been very high indeed and a number of them boasted multiple lever mechanisms of very high tollerance and having secondary lever gates so that they could be "double locked" by an additional turn of the key.

Even the more primitive screw key and spring wedge devices I have owned from Russia have a high level of skill in their manufacture.

Some of these I also got from Timo when we was still living.

Where the overall quality of the Russian restraints and padlocks seems to falter and being a downhill slide is with the advent of Communism in that country.

Materials become more scarce, people are paid less for labour, and so on all leading to crude quality restraints and locking mechanisms.

Not to say that all locks made in Russia after WW2 were bad because a number of good devices were made including some novel high security mechanisms made for military usage but where restraints are concerned the Communism era models showed clear signs of cut corners and rudimentary farbication (i.e. sharp edges, etc).

Steve Santini

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

Hello Lars,

this is a very nice model, which I have never seen before.

IMHO: this is a nicely made Russian model:


Best regards,
Guenter

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

HI !! ALL :: lets all RE-READ what i wrote as it was a QUOTE from someone else... i think that maybe the person was speaking in THEIR -- PRESENT TENSE & PAST TENSE..... that THEY got the cuff from the PEOPLES POLICE in the DDR prior to 1965... i say 1965 because for all i know (which is very little i guess) they just got the cuff in 1964 then forwarded on to my father in law... MAYBE - just maybe DIETER was relying on INFO of the current time, which i guess i have to say -- today we do not know any more then she did !!! some of you collectors out there in some of these countries should really try searching book & catalog stores for old catalogs etc etc & maybe YOU can teach the restraint collector commumity some new things... i know that we would all love it.... of course, maybe you already have searched & searched....joe

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

Sure got some interesting responses--some good information, however, it seems that this cuff may never have a definative answer. But, thats what makes collecting fun-getting all these ideas out there.

All the replies have been on the origin. Has anyone ever seen the model I have posted before. As I stated, the craftsmanship on this is not as good as the previous two models. It was made much cheaper and even the materials are not as good as the earlier models.

Thanks for all your inputs so far.

Ron

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

RON :::: email me... joe

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

Lars:

Your photo of the "Stalin" handcuff (2nd photo above) - has solved a mystery that I have wondered about for a long time!

That handcuff is/was on display at the HILLS BROS. SAFE & LOCK MUSEUM, in Garden Grove, Calif. USA.

It has long troubled me as to what it was. The best way that I had described it - was as "A freak RCS Swing-through Handcuff" (at quick glance, one would think that's what it is).

I am unable at the moment to locate an on-line photo of this cuff at the Museum to post here. In the museum, the cuff is not identified.

The museum does have a webite, but the handcuffs aren't pictured:
http://www.hillslock.com/museum.htm

Perhaps someone here has photos from there visit to the Museum - and could post a photo of the "Stalin Handcuff" that's on display there?

I am starting this post as a continuation of the previous post “Picture of Original Key”.

There have been two models of the dollar cuff, the flat key lock and the barrel key lock. The origins of the cuff have not been determined with the thinking that it could be German, Austrian, or Russian.

Several years ago I came across what I call the third model. This model is without a key locking device. It has a loop for a padlock to be inserted.

All three models work the same way. With the lock on, or padlock installed for the third model, the outer strip can not be moved. With the lock in the open position, or padlock removed, the outer strip can be pulled up to allow the bow to move.

This third model is not as will built as the previous two. It is slightly smaller in size and simpler made. It came out of Ethiopia and was used there in the 1950's. This is also the time the Russians were there.
I feel this cheaper model and the first two models could very well be of Russian make.

Mark Lyons may have an original barrel key and we think the type of materials and its quality may be of Russian origin.

So this makes three versions of the dollar lock that I know of.

Ron

Click to expand...

Joe;

I’m happy to have solved the question about this cuff. I’ve heard about a specimen in a US Museum but until now I didn’t know which Museum. I agree; it very much looks like a heavy version of the RCA swing-through cuff with its daliesque shape.

This extremely rare cuff is known in three specimens only, Stan owns a third one.

Not much is known about it but it apparently originates from either Russia or Finland. Again, the quality and precision of the movement is very good which makes me believe it might be Finnish. According to the ratchet pattern and how it is built I would guess it’s manufactured around 1940’s (Soviet communist era). It double lock by turning the key a few degrees anti-clockwise, just like the Harvard cuff. Let’s see if anyone can post a picture of the one at the Hillslock museum.

Lars

www.holstcollection.com