Ian McColl
#1Hi Damon, still cannot get emails thru to you, so I thought I would post the information here about the French handcuff with letter lock replica.
Others might find it interesting.
The replica was built from information supplied by Jon Oliver. A side and end plates impression was supplied to me which gave me details as to the size and shape of all components. I hand made each part and carefully fitted them to the impression until they fit correctly. In the agreement for making the handcuff, Jon wanted the cuff to be slightly different from the original to protect it's integrity as the one and only Houdini's handcuff.
For this reason the chain and a long rivets which hold the wheels in place are smaller in diameter.
Furthermore, Jon didn't want the real combination to be publicly known and keep the mystery of the handcuff. As the cuff has only four lettered wheels, we decided in keeping with the Houdini legend to make it CLEF as this fitted in with the Houdini Kleppini story as written about in so many books and the main story people can relate to.
The end plates, shackle and spacer plates ( between the wheels) are nickel plated steel and the wheels are brass.
When the last of the 26 limited edition cuffs are sold, Jon Oliver intends to sell the book he wrote (FRAUD the story of Houdini's French letter lock handcuffs) Currently this book is only sold with the replica and contains a letter from Ruth Hinson and Jon on why they don't want the combination known.
Others might find it interesting.
The replica was built from information supplied by Jon Oliver. A side and end plates impression was supplied to me which gave me details as to the size and shape of all components. I hand made each part and carefully fitted them to the impression until they fit correctly. In the agreement for making the handcuff, Jon wanted the cuff to be slightly different from the original to protect it's integrity as the one and only Houdini's handcuff.
For this reason the chain and a long rivets which hold the wheels in place are smaller in diameter.
Furthermore, Jon didn't want the real combination to be publicly known and keep the mystery of the handcuff. As the cuff has only four lettered wheels, we decided in keeping with the Houdini legend to make it CLEF as this fitted in with the Houdini Kleppini story as written about in so many books and the main story people can relate to.
The end plates, shackle and spacer plates ( between the wheels) are nickel plated steel and the wheels are brass.
When the last of the 26 limited edition cuffs are sold, Jon Oliver intends to sell the book he wrote (FRAUD the story of Houdini's French letter lock handcuffs) Currently this book is only sold with the replica and contains a letter from Ruth Hinson and Jon on why they don't want the combination known.