Looking for age and maker of this Thumbscrew

Does anyone here have any idea how old this Thumbscrew is or who the maker was??? Also does anyone know how much it is worth???



Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers, Mike D~C/

This design is actually quite old dating back a few hundred years but the actual screws are not.

There are many variations of thumbscrews but this particular one is French, dates to the 1930's/40's and is worth about $200.00 USD on a good day.

The French cops used these padlocking screws until after the war as actual duty restraints.

Strange but true.

Steve Santini

Does anyone here have any idea how old this Thumbscrew is or who the maker was??? Also does anyone know how much it is worth???



Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers, Mike D~C/

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Thanks for your help Steve! I figured if anyone would know about Thumbscrews, it would be you......and may I say, you have a beautiful collection of Thumbscrews of your own! =)

Cheers, Mike D~C/

Does anyone here have any idea how old this Thumbscrew is or who the maker was??? Also does anyone know how much it is worth???



Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers, Mike D~C/

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Right, this thumscrews are French and were probably some times in use until the 1930´s. They were introduced into the police and prison system under Napoleon III (1852-1870) originally. There exist several types of these, whereas this one is the more common one. With the original lock and key they are worth more than Steve stated. But this lock is not original. These thumbscrews were designed as a restraint and not as a torture device, but they could be used as such one. Police practices under Napoleon III were not gentle in these days (it was not only the time of historism for arts and architecture...).

Does anyone here have any idea how old this Thumbscrew is or who the maker was??? Also does anyone know how much it is worth???



Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers, Mike D~C/

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Hi everybody

Yes it is a french thumbscrew

You will find some informations on my website.... But in french
http://menottescollection.net/extrait_d ... logue.html

There are two models: iron or steel.With some of patience, It is not very hard to find an iron model on eBay: value between 80 and 150 euros depending the condition. For a steel thumbscrew it will be harder: value more than 150 euros
Just below let me show you a set in perfect condition with the two original padlocks the chain and the thumbscrew. I bought this set 350 euros 3 years ago


The maker was ACE (padlock and thumbscrew).Sorry but the padlock on your photo is not an original.

This french thumbscrew dates from 1885 to 1899

http://menottescollection.net

Does anyone here have any idea how old this Thumbscrew is or who the maker was??? Also does anyone know how much it is worth???



Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers, Mike D~C/

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Some for restraint and some for torture (and a bagno cuff)





Steve Santini

Does anyone here have any idea how old this Thumbscrew is or who the maker was??? Also does anyone know how much it is worth???



Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers, Mike D~C/

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Thanks for the responses guys.....and I have to say that those are some really GREAT pictures!!!!! I have had the pivilege of seeing in person and handling some of the ones in Santini's photos (the last one pictured is incredible, pics don't do it justice). I also like the chain and padlocks on the other photo......SWEET!!!

It was mentioned that the lock on mine is not original. Yes, I know.....mine is an American made tin lock from the early 1900's; the holes in the Thumbscrew are so small, it was hard to find a lock to fit it. I think that the choice of lock looks good with my Thumbscrew so it will stay.

As far as it's worth, I gave a LOT more for this item than it is worth, so I will have to hold on to it until my investmest matures. =)

Thanks to all who answered!!!

Cheers, Mike D~C/

Does anyone here have any idea how old this Thumbscrew is or who the maker was??? Also does anyone know how much it is worth???



Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers, Mike D~C/

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They used a similar device to Steve's last in the film Warlock.

"Listen to me... a horse that sweats in the morning; cream that sours overnight, you know the signs, we both know!"