Joseph Fox 22 Dec 2008
#1Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
Stan Willis 22 Dec 2008
#2It is NOT a rumor. The key will get trapped. It is possible to get it out, but the key will usually be destroyed, and it probobally doesn't do the lock any good. I've bought several Harvards over the years with a standard handcuff key stuck or broken off in the cuff.
Stan
Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
Joe
Story is completely true.
The problem is that the peerless key turns too far past where the cuff should open, but then it catches when you turn back it to remove the key.
You can not get it back out and the key is stuck. The Peerless bit is too short. The real Harvard key has a longer bit.
This is also a problem with the "new model" Harvard cuff. Just ask Mark Lyons. I screwed up one of his Harvard cuffs at one of the conventions. Sorry Mark.
Joe
Joseph Fox 22 Dec 2008
#4Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
Stan & Joe:
Thanks for the info.
..and that will help a future handcuff-collector.
Steve Santini 23 Dec 2008
#5Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
Push down on the ratchet teeth with a screwdriver jamming them as far down as they will go and then turn back on your key.
It WILL turn back and come out.
Steve Santini
Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
The bit on a standard key is also narrower than the harvard key and can push the double locking lever up and slip under it. The lever will then drop back into place and trap the key behind it with the cuffs double locked. You can free it by turning the key as far as possible and taking a standard "hook" lockpick and picking the double lock off. I've bought several cuffs with keys stuck in them and haven't run across one yet that it couldn't be remove without damaging the key or the lock. Steve's answer will also work on the Peerless model one cuffs where the key or the lock is worn and allows the key to turn far enough to trap it.
Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
Correction. That should have been the Peerless Model two cuffs.
Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
If the key gets stuck in a double locked Harvard, take a bent piece of wire and release the double lock mechanism, it is close enough to the keyhole to easily do this, then the peerless key can be rotated to the exit position and easily be removed.
Howy
Cincy
Picking locks since I was 12.
Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
i have a pair of these - old, black. do they have any monetary value? I'd like to sell them. thanks.
Atlanta*Casting 15 Jan 2009
#10Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
Looks like someone should have come here first...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0024596132
Anonymous 15 Jan 2009
#11Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
Best auction line I've read in a while:
There is also a modern cuff key lodged in one of the key holes due to some dillweed thinking he could open the cuffs with it.
J.Kuczereo 16 Jan 2009
#12Most of the "escape literature" that I grew up with (dealers such as: Hull, Trudel, Wheeler, Weeks, Norman etc)...
...there was always a strict "WARNING" about never using a "Peerless key" in an "Old Harvard" handcuff...because the key will get stuck, and as the old books would say: "..and that's all she wrote!".
Being fearful, I don't think I ever tried opening an Old Harvard handcuff with a key other than the original black barrel key.
So, I ask all of you who were brave enough to try your Peerless,S&W, or Peerless knock-off keys in their Old Harvards...
Did your key get stuck in the locks?
Let's put this rumor to rest, once and for all.
__________________________________________________________________________
btw -
When I say "Old Harvard" - I am referring to either the Nickel or Black models that have the SLANTED KEYHOLES.
I am assuming that the "NEW Harvard" models DO accept the standard Peerless and S&W keys.
This is a perfect illustration of what I was talking about. The key is turned clockwise with the bit pointed toward the chain side of the cuff. You can clearly see the double lock lever partially blocking the keyhole. Turn the key clockwise, use my pick or Howy's wire to move the lever to the right of the keyhole, then turn the key back and remove it.
