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Another attempt at finding an Argus Iron Claw

27 visible archived posts · 27 preserved total · topic ID 2886

dmrickle 22 Feb 2009

I am still looking for a nice condition Argus Iron Claw (model 2)

I have found quite a few Claws, but in horrible condition... corroded, scratched and worn to the point of no lettering visible.

I have a pair of S&W model 94 V3 cuffs with original key that I could include along with cash.

I'm more than happy to pay a good price if the claw is in excellent shape.

Thanks for reading my request here and sorry if I'm a pest

Dan

Atlanta*Casting 22 Feb 2009

Just be patient and hold onto your 94's and cash.

If the economy stays the same or gets worse you will see iron claws coming
"out of the woodwork" online and you can then "pick and choose" a good one.

It's way too easy for unscrupulous sellers to do a post sale search on iron claws to see what the
current price trend is before listing and then shill their item up to that price.

When I was first into collecting handcuffs and anything related I came across a pair of Argus model two's that were in excellent condition and consecutively numbered for under $75.00

good luck.

PS, for those who like collecting high security locks

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0309380131

dmrickle 22 Feb 2009

When I used to collect cuffs and the like back in the 1970's I had owned at least a dozen Argus claws which I used to get for approx. $35-50 and they were all in excellent condition. Guess I'll have to wait for one to pop out of the woodwork now.

Many thanks for the reply.

Dan

Ricky Carter 02 Mar 2009

I have a Argus Iron Claw I dont know what model it is, however if you can tell by the serial # here it is
12734.

J.Kuczero 03 Mar 2009

Is it safe to assume that if it has the 1937 patent number on it it's a model 2? Mine shows some scuffing in the nickel plating and a small spot on one end of the handle where the steel is showing and dark but the lettering is still sharp and it works perfectly. The original leather hoster for it has some pretty rough spots on it though. Could have been a case of road rash or could have been rats in the attic where it was stored. In any case it's not for sale. I was just wondering which model it was.

Bernie R 24 Jan 2010

I have an original Arus Iron Claw. It is in very good condition and was my father's who was a policeman in PA. Has passed away last year and I received when he passed away. I will take some pictures of it if you are still interested.

Please contact me through the email addresswith a phone number or other information

Thanks
Bernie

Weston 25 Jan 2010

Most iron claws are in crappy condition as per the finish. The only steel parts are the two claws and internal thread. The rest is cast alloy of aluminum and copper. The Germans made zepplins out of it. Nickel plating wore off realy easy and the alloy turns dark gray. The alloy was called sduraluminm. If made all out of steel it would have rusted really bad and the screw mechainism would be a yugo.

Spencer 26 Jan 2010

Why not go to Damon R. Shields excellent site US Handcuffs and Collectibles where he has done a great job dissecting the different models of Iron Claw. If nothing else we should use his system as the standard for labeling the different models so we'll all be on the same page.

Kyle S 07 Oct 2012

I have just recently been given an Iron Claw Model 2 in very good condition...some of the plating has come of the claw part itself but not completely. At some point it was engraved with JUV. COURT. As well as the town it was in. Everything works nicely just like they were used yesterday. If Anyone can tell me what these are usually value at it would be great.

LK 07 Oct 2012

#10

DAN, my offer for my MINT CONDITION CLAW still open,pic's not available !!

LK D~D

Jay Lelsie 13 Oct 2012

#11

If you can't find one, I have one packed away that i can probably get to on Saturday. The plating is VG as i remember.

How do you tell the difference in models. I had one when they first came out and I've had others and they all look the same.

dmrickle 14 Oct 2012

#12

Hi Jay

The Argus Iron Claw had 6 versions. The 1st version had the locking teeth exposed which caused cuts to the officers. There wasn't a patent number either.

Version 2 had a sleeve that covered the teeth. Version 3 isn't much different than Version 2. It's only difference is in the patent stamp. Version 2 says: Pat. Pend.

Version 3 says: Pat. 1950757 and below that, Other Pat Pend.

Version 4's patent isn't pending anymore. Its stamped: Pat. 1950757
Under that is another patent number: 2066654

Version 5 appeared around 1960 when Argus became Argus-JayPee (these were made in Tawain) The patent numbers are the same as on all the other versions.

Version 6 has: Made in Tawain stamped on it and the claw itself is rather chunky looking with squared edges.

All the above info is from this website:http://www.ushandcuffs.com/AugusIronClaw.html

Hopefully I got all the info correct. It's a wonderful website, btw.

Regards,

Dan R

shade hawkins 12 Feb 2013

#13

I have a very nice one I can sell you. Personal, police issue, not a junk.

ChuckII 12 Feb 2013

#14

I have a few nippers for sale as well.

joe tanner 12 Feb 2013

#15

as to when the JAY PEE - ARGUS were FIRST made, the year of 1960 is INCORRECT unless they did NOT sell any till approx. 1982..... in approx. 1982-83 i purchased approx 15-16 JAY PEE - ARGUS nipper claws from the COURTLAND B. J. company (supplier of the JAY-PEE) but i can't remember if i had serial #0001 or 0002.... i did have serial numbers 0003 thru approx. 0018..... i kept a number of them in my collection as they had the LOWEST serial numbers...... ordered more right away as i was getting good orders for them and of course more as the years went by.... i do not know WHO actually contracted to have them made, but i suspect COURTLAND did as they were the only supplier that i know of.... i also believe that COURTLAND had contracted to have ONLY ONE RUN of them made and when they finally sold out of them several years ago that was it..... joe

Mile nj 13 Feb 2013

#16

Give up already... Really starting to get old

Daniel Rickless 13 Feb 2013

#17

Hi,

The post that everyone is now emailing me about (a post from 4 years ago)
is a dead issue. Please don't email me or message me about a post I put on here in 2009. Someone said 'its getting old'. Naturally its old. I was looking for a claw, 4 years ago. I am all set with claws now. Ever since people went insane on ebay and are now selling and buying claws for almost $200(ridiculous), everyone on here is responding to my 4 year old post wanting to make a buck.

The best one was from someone on here who said: 'I have a claw to sell you'
I asked to see photos. He said he didn't own a camera but his claw looked just like the one in the gallery on here. When I told him I would like to see photos of his claw, he kept insisting that his looked exactly like the one in the gallery and he would sell it to me. He eventually asked me if I was a US citizen. I have no clue what he meant by that. Maybe he thought I didn't understand English. Would you buy a car from someone if they said "I can't show you my car, but it looks just like that one over there"

I do not want a claw. Case closed. Thank you.

dancingcane 19 Feb 2013

#18

Hello, I bought a V4 for 40 USD and am satisfied. Thanks for the clarification of the versions.

Best

Jens

henry 05 Mar 2013

#19

i have been searching for a holster for my argus iron claw.perhaps you can help me locate one.i'll kep my eyes out for a claw in pristine condition.

Anonymous 05 Mar 2013

#20

Joseph lock this post PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

ronald reed 16 May 2013

#21

I was wondering if you were still looking for a IRON CLAW I have one of the first versions ever made you can read all the #s it was made in Chicago, I no the posting is old but its worth a shot.maybe ill here from you

PhilOhio 16 Dec 2013

#22

Guys, I hope this old thread is not totally DOA. I'm not really a restraints collector, but this could get me started. I almost bought a really minty Argus Iron Claw at a suburban Washington, D.C. estate sale some 20 years ago, but the lady running it pulled a switcheroo on me and would not sell it; claimed it was out there "by mistake". Only this week did I learn that the company name was Argus of Chicago, and the product was the "Iron Claw", and that there are tens of thousands of them out there. Sounds like a number of you have them. I would be interested in any of the later several models (all basically the same mechanically) as long as it is not the first model, nor the poorly made Jay-Pee Taiwan version, and it has to have all, or almost all, of the original nickel plating.

FYI, our family consists of a long line of Midwest cops, state patrolmen, town marshals, and sheriff's deputies. I'm the black sheep, having gone to work for Uncle Sam and, overseas, doing work which was sort of similar but very different. Now I need an Iron Claw, for show and tell, and family entertainment. None of those guys who are still alive have their Iron Claws anymore, and the last deputy cousin I talked with today said he hasn't seen one for 30 years. He said most were pulled off duty because they could break wrists.

Thanks much, for any help you folks can offer. I'm just not going to feel safe until I have my very own Argus Iron Claw to pet and polish.

Heidi 03 May 2014

#23

Have one good condition

jtdavis3511 02 Aug 2014

#24

I found your post from quiet a few years back where you were for a nice Iron Claw. I actually found in some things my grandmother had of my grandads before past away and I believe it's in great condition, still has all the imprints and serial very visible. If interested you can email me at jtdavis3511@gmail.com and I can give you my phone number. I don't know much about this piece but it seems very interesting and I'd love to find a home with someone who collects them. Thank you so much, Tiffani Davis

Steve 05 Feb 2016

#25

see eBay listing 231836708293

Anonymous 05 Feb 2016

#26

331771234512

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/331771234512? ... :MEBIDX:IT

Here is a 1st model Argus without the protector sleeve.
These are hard to find

David Donham 28 Dec 2017

#27

Call me at 941 586 2678