Tower #1 Ball and Chain - Another OddityHi All,

A few years ago myself and the Mrs were wandering through Pennsylvania and went through a "flea market" on an off-day. One dealer who was sitting around had some iron I needed. In it was two pair of Providence Tool Co. leg irons and a Tower Ball and chain. I made a deal and carried the whole mess home by plane (pre-terrorist days).

I just finished reading the terrific article about Tower Co. here and decided to look at my ball chain sitting safely next to me.

The picture in the article shows a "Double Lock" cuff attached to the ball by an oblong-linked chain.

I looked at mine for a bit and realized a substantial difference. The ball has the identical loop on the ball and large oblong link coming off of it. However, from there things change, apparently backwards.

The links are all twisted oblong loops and the cuff itself is a First Model ("Botton Key" "Side Key" " Edge Key"...whatever), but the straight key hole, not the "number 9").

This thing is right as rain. Nothing has been touched on it, except by the poor turkey that had to lug it around (uh, I guess that includes me), for the last 135 years, or so.

Has anyone had an opportunity to look at these things much and tell if they were all catalog or what early variants exist?

If anyone would like to see pictures, let me know and I'll send some to Joe for posting.

Thanks,
Brad

Brad, Good topic!
This restraint is absent in just about every handcuff book that I can think of. Come to think of it, I have rarly even seen a nice photo of one. I would like to know more about Tower ball and chains in particular but would like to know more about any other brands too. I was told that all authentic Tower balls had a 6 foot chain with a swivel. The chain should have large oval links that are about 2 1/2 to 3 inches long. The ball that I recently picked up has smaller links and no swivel but looks good every other way. I will send a picture of mine and would appreciate seeing any others.

A few years ago myself and the Mrs were wandering through Pennsylvania and went through a "flea market" on an off-day. One dealer who was sitting around had some iron I needed. In it was two pair of Providence Tool Co. leg irons and a Tower Ball and chain. I made a deal and carried the whole mess home by plane (pre-terrorist days).

I just finished reading the terrific article about Tower Co. here and decided to look at my ball chain sitting safely next to me.

The picture in the article shows a "Double Lock" cuff attached to the ball by an oblong-linked chain.

I looked at mine for a bit and realized a substantial difference. The ball has the identical loop on the ball and large oblong link coming off of it. However, from there things change, apparently backwards.

The links are all twisted oblong loops and the cuff itself is a First Model ("Botton Key" "Side Key" " Edge Key"...whatever), but the straight key hole, not the "number 9").

This thing is right as rain. Nothing has been touched on it, except by the poor turkey that had to lug it around (uh, I guess that includes me), for the last 135 years, or so.

Has anyone had an opportunity to look at these things much and tell if they were all catalog or what early variants exist?

If anyone would like to see pictures, let me know and I'll send some to Joe for posting.

Thanks,
Brad

Click to expand...

Hey Brad,
I will trade you my ball and chain for yours....She is a great cook and shes does do dishes!
Tim

A few years ago myself and the Mrs were wandering through Pennsylvania and went through a "flea market" on an off-day. One dealer who was sitting around had some iron I needed. In it was two pair of Providence Tool Co. leg irons and a Tower Ball and chain. I made a deal and carried the whole mess home by plane (pre-terrorist days).

I just finished reading the terrific article about Tower Co. here and decided to look at my ball chain sitting safely next to me.

The picture in the article shows a "Double Lock" cuff attached to the ball by an oblong-linked chain.

I looked at mine for a bit and realized a substantial difference. The ball has the identical loop on the ball and large oblong link coming off of it. However, from there things change, apparently backwards.

The links are all twisted oblong loops and the cuff itself is a First Model ("Botton Key" "Side Key" " Edge Key"...whatever), but the straight key hole, not the "number 9").

This thing is right as rain. Nothing has been touched on it, except by the poor turkey that had to lug it around (uh, I guess that includes me), for the last 135 years, or so.

Has anyone had an opportunity to look at these things much and tell if they were all catalog or what early variants exist?

If anyone would like to see pictures, let me know and I'll send some to Joe for posting.

Thanks,
Brad

Click to expand...

Hi Brad

Sounds like you have a real find. I have never heard of a bottom key Tower leg iron.

Does the ball have a number on it? The later ones had big numbers corresponding to the weight of the ball. The one I have is a #1 and is a 12 pounder. The Tower ad claims they sold them up to a #9 at 50 pounds.

I would be glad to post some pictures if you can send them.

cheers
Joe

A few years ago myself and the Mrs were wandering through Pennsylvania and went through a "flea market" on an off-day. One dealer who was sitting around had some iron I needed. In it was two pair of Providence Tool Co. leg irons and a Tower Ball and chain. I made a deal and carried the whole mess home by plane (pre-terrorist days).

I just finished reading the terrific article about Tower Co. here and decided to look at my ball chain sitting safely next to me.

The picture in the article shows a "Double Lock" cuff attached to the ball by an oblong-linked chain.

I looked at mine for a bit and realized a substantial difference. The ball has the identical loop on the ball and large oblong link coming off of it. However, from there things change, apparently backwards.

The links are all twisted oblong loops and the cuff itself is a First Model ("Botton Key" "Side Key" " Edge Key"...whatever), but the straight key hole, not the "number 9").

This thing is right as rain. Nothing has been touched on it, except by the poor turkey that had to lug it around (uh, I guess that includes me), for the last 135 years, or so.

Has anyone had an opportunity to look at these things much and tell if they were all catalog or what early variants exist?

If anyone would like to see pictures, let me know and I'll send some to Joe for posting.

Thanks,
Brad

Click to expand...

Joe, am having some technical difficulties, but will get pics to you soon. I would like to hear if anyone differs on assessment of originality. There is two large loops coming off the ball. They are different and then it goes to the typical 1st model twisted chain. The big loops are hand forged, ala blacksmith, though and not welded.

So, I guess I'm not so sure now. Factory, prison mod, small town blacksmith helping the sheriff?

I think the ball is indesputable, but it doesn't have a weight mark on it. No swivel, 42" of chain - longer than a set of legirons.

Tim, my ball & chain weighs 18 lbs., probably wouldn't be a fair trade weight-wise, but thanks for the offer.

Brad