I recently purchased these for $16, but I can't figure the era or the model number. I know they are older than the 60s because of the old style keyhole.
Can anyone help me out?
Thanks
Hi Charlie:
What you've got is what is known among collectors as a "Model 1". Not an official Peerless designation, but in reference to the first type of lock mechanism they used on their cuffs; namely, it double-locked with the key rather than a push pin.
The "Model 2" (again, not an official Peerless designation) used a push-pin to double lock the cuff. The patent for that lock mechanism was filed in 1922 and granted in 1925. No one knows for sure when the Model 2 started production, but it was sometime after the patent was filed but before it was granted based upon the "Patent Pending" stampings on early Model 2 cuffs.
So, your cuffs, being a Model 1, were most likely produced prior to 1922/1923.
As for an "earlier" date; again, no one knows for sure (Peerless has no definitive records prior to June 26, 1924 in Model 2 production). However, over the 8 or so years the Model 1 was made, it went through a variety of subtle, but distinct stamping changes on the cuffs. By my count, a total of 7 changes. In the last change (which your cuffs exhibit), the stamping font was enlarged and a comma was added between "Springfield" and "Mass.". Hence, it strikes me that your cuffs were made around 1921, give or take a year.
Nice find for sixteen bucks. If you don't have a key for them, I understand Stan Willis has some for sale (see an earlier post here).
Franklin
