Bean Giant

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Sorry, forgot to put my name in there. John Bushey, for those who don't already know. By the way, if, and I do mean IF, the cuff works after
reassembly, the real challenge will be cleaning up the outside. It's so pitted if I attempt to take out all the pits I'm afraid there will be
no metal left. So, I will probably just clean it up, so it looks better than it did, and be happy with that. John

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Hi John , great photo thank you. I see now what you mean about the bottoms, this is a very different technicque thant the Iver Johnson made Bean Giant, simpler too. In the Iver John casting, there is a three dided pocket to hold the opposite end of the pawl spring in position, you model doesn't seem to have anything or anywhere to seat the pawl spring. Can you shed light on this for me.

Ian

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

could this possiablly be a LOVELL attempt at the giant ( J.P. or BENJERAMAN'S )

LK D~D

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Hi LK, I have always thought there were only two makers or the Bean Giant, are you saying there are more?

Ian

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

it is just a thought ,but the lovell's were the first to make a lot of the bean cuff's ,i have a unmarked " LOVELL" bean patrolman stamped only with the #15 and has the dust covers also have a set of bean cobbs without any markings ,no date stamp on eaither one but do have the # stamps on the inside of hinges wonder if they could also have been made by lovell??? the patent for the giant is 1887 THE LOVELL'S made bean products untill 1900 when they sold out to IVER JOHNSON due to the death of benjamin J.P.LOVELL'S son J.P.died 3 years eairlier the year the patent came out, but he could have been working up to producting the gaint, just a thought ,sorry i don't have any factual prove

LK D~D

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

HI LK, thanks for that, what I fine very interesting is that the original patent drawing ( and then made by Lovel) shows the same shape casing as the lock case of have here which I am told was made by Iver Johnson ( as my cuff has a spacing washer in the hinge) But John's photo shows a different casing shape but possibly made by the first maker and not to the patent drawing.

I hope that make sense, it all seems odd to me though.

Ian

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

For those that are having a hard time following here are some pictures for comparison...

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Sorry the pictures are not larger, photobucket limits the size. One can email me for the high resolution file and does anyone have any suggestions on free sites to host pictures where one can upload and share higher resolution pictures?

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Wow, these are some great pics. Thank you for posting.

My Bean Giant is missing the lower button. I'm not sure if it's wedged inside, or simply gone. Is the Bean easy to disassemble? I might be lacking the tools and technical skills here. An x-ray might produce some answers.

Nils

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Hi Dorson, thanks for posting those great pictures, but now you have thrown a spanner in the works ( even a wrench if you please)

John's cuff has no "pockets" to hold the end of the pawl springs (adjacent to the tip of the bow within the cuff) The button are crossed pinned to stop them turning. John syas there is no spacing washer in the hinges. Suggested that this cuff is made by Lovel.

My Cuff had 'pocket in the casing to receieved the end of the pawl springs, square tail button to stop them turning and a spacer washer in each hinge. Suggested that they were made by Iver Johnson.

Dorson cuff has no pockets, square tail button.

Help.

Ian

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

i don't know of a site ,but if u can get COREL SNAPFIRE PLUS loaded to your pc u can do all sorts of things with ur pictures,take them from the size of a pin head and blow up as big as u want , however as u probably know the larger u go the resolution changes sometimes it gets clearer to enlarge some pic's and other times it gets more fuzzy, i think it depends on the original size of each pic. it is a very nice feacher to have tho on ur pc , u can sort pic with it ,enhanch them, catergorize , group them into trays ,ect. i think it may be a java product.will see if i can get a url and more info for a free trial download !!!

LK D~D

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

LK, when I came enlarge the pictures to 4-6 times the actual size and see great details with my camera, I think that is pretty good. The problem is finding someplace to save them on the net for download. I'm not a computer geek but I manage. For those that don't know, the grid is .25" x .25" background so one has an idea of size.

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

TRY THIS ONE , OR JUST GOOGLE// COREL SNAPFIRE PLUS AND CHECK OUT WHAT FIT'S UR NEEDS

http://www.download3000.com/download_18299.html

LK D~D

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

This is an interesting topic!

Ian, can you tell from the picture of these Giants how they differ in construction
and what maker you think each of them has?

These Giants differ in several ways. On the upper cuff, the bows go in line with the lock house but
not on the lower cuff.
The buttons are more protruding on the lower cuff, they also have much more movement (in/out)compared
to the other cuff that is more distinct when pressing the buttons.

My feeling is that these cuffs are manufactured by two different makers. Right or wrong???


Thanks,

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Hi Lars, I couldn't say for sure which, if either, is which but I guess they are from different manufacturers.

There are Giants with buttons which stick out a bit and other which have hardly any button protruding. So hinges show no gap and other do show a gap, like your bottom pair compared to the top.

I guess the major differences were due to the castings. The original patterns would have been made from wood and mounted to a board. I would guess 8 to 12 maybe more per board. Sand cast and then all finished by hand. There would have been differences between each pattern and each pattern maker.

Unless the cuff is marked with the maker name or there is a spacing washer in the hinge, I couldn't say for sure.
(can you pull them apart for me? Lars? )

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Hi,
I guess we started something. When I pulled apart the Bean Giant that was and still is a rusted mess, I didn't expect to find
a different interior than what Ian had cast from his original. There are significant changes to the internal design of the handcuff.
I, too, as Lars's photos show, have seen Bean Giants with buttons which protrude more than others. Some Giants are stamped, others not.
Some have spacer washers in the hinges of the bow, others don't. How many manufacturers made this handcuff. Or, did the original manufacturer
simply change the design or castings in an attempt to manufacture them more easily?? IN my opinion, the one I have apart now would be much easier
to finish than the one's I've built from Ian's castings. You have to file a square hole through the button hole with Ian's, not with this one.
Ian's has a compartment cast in to hold the spring, not mine. Any thoughts or posted photos, especially of those with markings would help.
Thanks to all; Lars, Dorson, etc... John

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

I reseached Lovell, Iver Johnson, Bean and Lyman Cobb several years ago, but Gordon Gluff's artcle in the 2006 Annual was so good I gave it up. Reading Ian's description of the Bean Giant casting process has me thinking again about how thing were done in those days. In the Muster Out book it states E.D. Bean ded in 1908, had been retired for 7 years, had been employed by the Lovell Arms Co. for many years. I have a letter from Bean stating he worked in the Catologe Dept. of Lovell Arms in Boston in 1892. The Lovells and the Iver Johnsons were very close, one of Iver's son's being named John Lovell Johnson, I think Bean could have made casting changes in the bean giants anytime he thought of one.

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

here is my Iver Johnson casting.


Ian

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

I researched a bit more and in Matthew G. Forte's book ( AMERICAN POLICE COLLECTIBLES) PAGE 217 an illustration of a E.D.BEAN cataloge showing a bean gaint as his NO.3 handcuff, in the front of that book page xii list of illustrations states it was made in 1888. so i would think that there were definatly LOVELL made gaints being produced since iver johnson didn't take over till 1901

LK D~D

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

I see the pockets u spoke of now, thay were a great improvement over the hooked spring idea.

LK D~D

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Hi Lk, I thought the photo would make more sense than my discription and I am glad you can see the difference. I couldn't work out what kept the pawl spring in place in the first model and had to ask. Just couldn't see it in the photo. I would have like to see the machine that drilled the hole there.



Ian

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THAT ,BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CHALLANGE TO DRILL THAT HOLE FOR THE HOOK OF THE SPRING TO ENTER AND MAYBE THAT HAD A LOT TO DO WITH CHAANGING IT OVER TO THE POCKETS////// AFTER 1000 BROKEN DRILL BITS OF THAT SMALL A DIAMIATER LOL

LK D~D

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

The holes are drilled at an angle. Center punch, and drill. Not difficult
at all, largely because they weren't drilled straight through. John

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Hello,
I'm still working on the rusted, pitted Bean Giant I obtained a little over a month ago. Enclosed is a photo of the original item as I received it,
frozen solid, nothing moving, and rusted and pitted. Then, a photo of the current same item, all original parts, but partially restored and one
side working perfectly. The other side I'm having problems with, but hopeful that it will work again. Just wanted to show the current progress after cleaning up parts, freeing them up, working on pitting, and back together on one side.
John

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Holy crap John, I'm thoroughly impressed!! That pair of giants had both feat In the grave...somehow you've managed to restore the unrestorable. Fantastic JOB!!

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

yes, a fantastic job !! i assume that you had it sand blasted... going to be a decent item when you are completely done.... way to go... joe

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Yes, they will once again work. And no, there was NO sandblasting involved. I talked to one of the master lock collectors and repairers in the
world, Mr. Bob Dix, and he told me a formula to simply fill the pits in with metal and then bring everything down to a similar patina. I started
sanding the inside of the bows, but have stopped, and will fill the remaining pits in, and then "patina" them as well. Now, I just need to have one
pawl, which I'm awaiting from Ian, to finish it. By the way, All parts are original when done except the hinge rivets, one internal peg, one pawl,
and one button. All else, including springs, were salvageable. Of course, should I sell this, charging $2.00 per hour, I'd have to get $2000. In other words, I'll never recover the hours and time spent sanding, polishing, soaking, smoothing, and playing with all the parts. But, I'm not in it
for any $$, just the experience and challenge. And as Ian McColl will attest (several phone calls, long ones too) there are times I wish I'd never
accepted the challenge. More later. John

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Now John, I told you that by the end of this you would cursing and wishing you never got started. I'm only left with saying "Ha I told you so" LOL. I know how bad these puppies were and the photos do not do it justice. You have performed a miracle thus far...can't wait to see it fully completed.

Joshua

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Really Great work John , Im sure that w/ the help of Ian & B.Dix , the Bean Giant will again rise from the dead.

Where exactly did you find them in such horrid condition ?

Please keep us all appraised of the cuffs progress.

Best

MICHAEL LEE

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

HI,
These were dug up from the back lot of the old Lovell Arms factory (hahahaha). No, Joshua had them and I got them
from him. He told me they were wallhangers but I got them with the idea that there was nothing I could do to harm them, so
why not try. As for my dear friend Ian, I've begged and begged and pleaded to send them to him but he won't let me. I'm glad
he keeps saying no, although my frustration has been taken out on him (thanks Ian). Bob Dix's brilliant knowledge of metalurgy
gave me a few formulas for putting a nice patina back on them after filling in the pits with a metalic epoxy, sanding, burnishing,
and then applying chemicals to make them all look uniform and have the nice dark gray patina. The final step I haven't even tried yet,
which is applying a nice 3 and 1 oil for the final finish. I'm trying to be patient. Ian sent me two pawls (in case I screw one up) and
I'm too impatient, so started making one myself a little while ago. Nearing completion. I may have to re-pin the bottom of the button with
a more hefty pin to support the strong old rusty springs. Instead of doing the needed projects around the house, I'm having fun!
John

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Great story John, keep up the good work and continue to keep us all posted.

MICHAEL LEE

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

Hey, I didn't do anything but tell John not to send them to me. This frustartion brought out the best of John and he did all the hard work and deserves all the credit.

Ian

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

THE SET LAST NIGHT ON EBAY , THEY WERE MARKED PAT. NOV 87, USING FLAT KEY BET THEY WERE LOVELL MADE.

LK D~D

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

HERE'S THE ITEM NUMBER:Item number: 280527060201

LK D~D

Hello all,
Here is one photo after I got the buttons working again on a VERY pitted, rusty, frozen, Bean Giant. After building a few from
Ian's castings, this one is manufactured differently. Ian's was cast and built from an Iver Johnson Bean Giant. This one is different.
The buttons are entirely round, whereas Ian's are round on top and square at the ends. This one uses a round button and to keep it from
rotating was cross pinned and the ends of the pins bent downward to keep it from rotating. This thing just may work again.
I'm repairing the only broken piece, one pawl, and then will attempt to reassemble. This photo was taken right after the buttons
were freed up, and wasn't very clean yet. I had to punch the buttons to get them to move, and the punch them back out, back and forth,
until they loosened up. I removed more rust, resoaked it, and then dried it all out. I'm still not sure the buttons
will depress far enought to allow the pawls to operate properly, so may have to remove one or both and rebuild them. It's been a fun
project. John

Click to expand...

HI,
Bean giant riveted back together, and both sides up and working. Still have minor body repair, and clean rivets up, but here it is.
Who wants an inexpensive Bean Giant, because if I charged even $5.00 an hour to fix this baby it would be in the thousands. But, it
was at times fun, at times frustrating (thanks Ian), and above all a real learning experience. All parts original except the following:
hinge rivets, one pawl, one button, one internal stud. I was able to salvage all springs, and everything else. To fill the severe pitting
I used an metallic two-part expoxy to start, then sanded down (this stuff is so hard you can drill and tap it) to smooth, then applied two
chemicals to give it an overall uniform appearance. It's a dark gray patina at the present time. I still have to do a few spots. Also,
believe it or not, the original stamping on the side of one bow shows the following: "Pat. Nov. 87" The 87 I had to read using special
unltraviolet lighting but the Pat is plain as day and the Nov. is visible with a handlens. That's the open bow in the photo. I had to buy
several chemicals, epoxy's, and endless hours of time into this, and will be parting with it. For anyone wanting an inexpensive Bean Giant
compared to what you'd pay for a non-restored one, let me know. Best Wishes, John