Mirror Handcuffs now completed

Here are the latest pictures of my replica Mirror Handcuffs that many of you will have seen when I did my presentation at last years Cannon's Convention. They have taken me about 2 years on and off to build, using just basic workshop tools, and a lot of help from local engineering and metal plating companies.

As far as I know, they are the most accurate reproduction of these "Supercuffs" The design came from studying all the available photographs that I have in my collection, and with talking to the few people who have been lucky enough to handle the actual cuffs over the years.

The actual size was always a problem, as I have not been able to get any size (or technical) details from the current owner of the original cuffs, but those who have handled them told me they seem "just perfect"

Regading the locking mechanism, I already had made a matching replica key, and was pleased to be able to announce at the Convention, that the chief locksmith at Bramah Locks in London, was going to try to build this in their factory for me. The cuff was taken to the factory, but after waiting over 3 months, I needed the cuff back for a meeting of the United Kingdom Escape Artistes. (They had not yet seen the cuff) It was still without a lock. The Bramah guy had been very busy with work, and just hadn't found any spare workshop time to design and build the locking system.

So I thought, "The only person who understands the lock, and has all the equipment needed, is Ian McColl"

So I asked Ian if he would build a locking mechanism that would operate on the matching key. I was limited on what I wanted to spend, so Ian built a working mechanism up to my price, then I would then spend a little more time on the elusive Bramah mechanism later.

When it arrived back from Ian's, I was so happy that I had an operating Mirror Cuff.

Ian had used one of the Bramah cylinders I sent him, and I was able to build the working Bramah lock around that cylinder. It is now fully functional, using genuine Bramah parts.

I worked out that to pick the cylinder, it would take 6 picking operations just to get the cylinder to turn 1/6th of a revolution, 36 operations to get it to turn a full revolution, and 252 operations to turn the cylinder the full 7 revolutions to release the lock!

Not in 1 hour and 5 minutes, Harry!

Eventally I will be writing up the making of the Mirror Cuff, with all construction photographs, but for now, I would just like to share this with you.



The view into the keyhole





In it's presentation case

Here's a close-up of the key



Limited edition replicas of this key, produced in white bronze (looking a little bit more antique than this nickel plated one) are available from Cannon's Great Escapes, and also myself.

Here are the latest pictures of my replica Mirror Handcuffs that many of you will have seen when I did my presentation at last years Cannon's Convention. They have taken me about 2 years on and off to build, using just basic workshop tools, and a lot of help from local engineering and metal plating companies.

As far as I know, they are the most accurate reproduction of these "Supercuffs" The design came from studying all the available photographs that I have in my collection, and with talking to the few people who have been lucky enough to handle the actual cuffs over the years.

The actual size was always a problem, as I have not been able to get any size (or technical) details from the current owner of the original cuffs, but those who have handled them told me they seem "just perfect"

Regading the locking mechanism, I already had made a matching replica key, and was pleased to be able to announce at the Convention, that the chief locksmith at Bramah Locks in London, was going to try to build this in their factory for me. The cuff was taken to the factory, but after waiting over 3 months, I needed the cuff back for a meeting of the United Kingdom Escape Artistes. (They had not yet seen the cuff) It was still without a lock. The Bramah guy had been very busy with work, and just hadn't found any spare workshop time to design and build the locking system.

So I thought, "The only person who understands the lock, and has all the equipment needed, is Ian McColl"

So I asked Ian if he would build a locking mechanism that would operate on the matching key. I was limited on what I wanted to spend, so Ian built a working mechanism up to my price, then I would then spend a little more time on the elusive Bramah mechanism later.

When it arrived back from Ian's, I was so happy that I had an operating Mirror Cuff.

Ian had used one of the Bramah cylinders I sent him, and I was able to build the working Bramah lock around that cylinder. It is now fully functional, using genuine Bramah parts.

I worked out that to pick the cylinder, it would take 6 picking operations just to get the cylinder to turn 1/6th of a revolution, 36 operations to get it to turn a full revolution, and 252 operations to turn the cylinder the full 7 revolutions to release the lock!

Not in 1 hour and 5 minutes, Harry!

Eventally I will be writing up the making of the Mirror Cuff, with all construction photographs, but for now, I would just like to share this with you.



The view into the keyhole





In it's presentation case

Click to expand...

Nice job Mick and Ian!!! That is one nice cuff! You are true craftsmen!!!

Cheers, Mike D~C/

Here are the latest pictures of my replica Mirror Handcuffs that many of you will have seen when I did my presentation at last years Cannon's Convention. They have taken me about 2 years on and off to build, using just basic workshop tools, and a lot of help from local engineering and metal plating companies.

As far as I know, they are the most accurate reproduction of these "Supercuffs" The design came from studying all the available photographs that I have in my collection, and with talking to the few people who have been lucky enough to handle the actual cuffs over the years.

The actual size was always a problem, as I have not been able to get any size (or technical) details from the current owner of the original cuffs, but those who have handled them told me they seem "just perfect"

Regading the locking mechanism, I already had made a matching replica key, and was pleased to be able to announce at the Convention, that the chief locksmith at Bramah Locks in London, was going to try to build this in their factory for me. The cuff was taken to the factory, but after waiting over 3 months, I needed the cuff back for a meeting of the United Kingdom Escape Artistes. (They had not yet seen the cuff) It was still without a lock. The Bramah guy had been very busy with work, and just hadn't found any spare workshop time to design and build the locking system.

So I thought, "The only person who understands the lock, and has all the equipment needed, is Ian McColl"

So I asked Ian if he would build a locking mechanism that would operate on the matching key. I was limited on what I wanted to spend, so Ian built a working mechanism up to my price, then I would then spend a little more time on the elusive Bramah mechanism later.

When it arrived back from Ian's, I was so happy that I had an operating Mirror Cuff.

Ian had used one of the Bramah cylinders I sent him, and I was able to build the working Bramah lock around that cylinder. It is now fully functional, using genuine Bramah parts.

I worked out that to pick the cylinder, it would take 6 picking operations just to get the cylinder to turn 1/6th of a revolution, 36 operations to get it to turn a full revolution, and 252 operations to turn the cylinder the full 7 revolutions to release the lock!

Not in 1 hour and 5 minutes, Harry!

Eventally I will be writing up the making of the Mirror Cuff, with all construction photographs, but for now, I would just like to share this with you.



The view into the keyhole





In it's presentation case

Click to expand...

Bravo Mick, Bravo. Great work on the inner workings Ian.

Here are the latest pictures of my replica Mirror Handcuffs that many of you will have seen when I did my presentation at last years Cannon's Convention. They have taken me about 2 years on and off to build, using just basic workshop tools, and a lot of help from local engineering and metal plating companies.

As far as I know, they are the most accurate reproduction of these "Supercuffs" The design came from studying all the available photographs that I have in my collection, and with talking to the few people who have been lucky enough to handle the actual cuffs over the years.

The actual size was always a problem, as I have not been able to get any size (or technical) details from the current owner of the original cuffs, but those who have handled them told me they seem "just perfect"

Regading the locking mechanism, I already had made a matching replica key, and was pleased to be able to announce at the Convention, that the chief locksmith at Bramah Locks in London, was going to try to build this in their factory for me. The cuff was taken to the factory, but after waiting over 3 months, I needed the cuff back for a meeting of the United Kingdom Escape Artistes. (They had not yet seen the cuff) It was still without a lock. The Bramah guy had been very busy with work, and just hadn't found any spare workshop time to design and build the locking system.

So I thought, "The only person who understands the lock, and has all the equipment needed, is Ian McColl"

So I asked Ian if he would build a locking mechanism that would operate on the matching key. I was limited on what I wanted to spend, so Ian built a working mechanism up to my price, then I would then spend a little more time on the elusive Bramah mechanism later.

When it arrived back from Ian's, I was so happy that I had an operating Mirror Cuff.

Ian had used one of the Bramah cylinders I sent him, and I was able to build the working Bramah lock around that cylinder. It is now fully functional, using genuine Bramah parts.

I worked out that to pick the cylinder, it would take 6 picking operations just to get the cylinder to turn 1/6th of a revolution, 36 operations to get it to turn a full revolution, and 252 operations to turn the cylinder the full 7 revolutions to release the lock!

Not in 1 hour and 5 minutes, Harry!

Eventally I will be writing up the making of the Mirror Cuff, with all construction photographs, but for now, I would just like to share this with you.



The view into the keyhole





In it's presentation case

Click to expand...

Great work ! ! !

Mick this Must be written up in a manuscript one day soon !
I would have been most surprised if Ian had not ben involved in this labor of love.

Congratulations to all....Really Great work guys.


MICHAEL LEE

Here are the latest pictures of my replica Mirror Handcuffs that many of you will have seen when I did my presentation at last years Cannon's Convention. They have taken me about 2 years on and off to build, using just basic workshop tools, and a lot of help from local engineering and metal plating companies.

As far as I know, they are the most accurate reproduction of these "Supercuffs" The design came from studying all the available photographs that I have in my collection, and with talking to the few people who have been lucky enough to handle the actual cuffs over the years.

The actual size was always a problem, as I have not been able to get any size (or technical) details from the current owner of the original cuffs, but those who have handled them told me they seem "just perfect"

Regading the locking mechanism, I already had made a matching replica key, and was pleased to be able to announce at the Convention, that the chief locksmith at Bramah Locks in London, was going to try to build this in their factory for me. The cuff was taken to the factory, but after waiting over 3 months, I needed the cuff back for a meeting of the United Kingdom Escape Artistes. (They had not yet seen the cuff) It was still without a lock. The Bramah guy had been very busy with work, and just hadn't found any spare workshop time to design and build the locking system.

So I thought, "The only person who understands the lock, and has all the equipment needed, is Ian McColl"

So I asked Ian if he would build a locking mechanism that would operate on the matching key. I was limited on what I wanted to spend, so Ian built a working mechanism up to my price, then I would then spend a little more time on the elusive Bramah mechanism later.

When it arrived back from Ian's, I was so happy that I had an operating Mirror Cuff.

Ian had used one of the Bramah cylinders I sent him, and I was able to build the working Bramah lock around that cylinder. It is now fully functional, using genuine Bramah parts.

I worked out that to pick the cylinder, it would take 6 picking operations just to get the cylinder to turn 1/6th of a revolution, 36 operations to get it to turn a full revolution, and 252 operations to turn the cylinder the full 7 revolutions to release the lock!

Not in 1 hour and 5 minutes, Harry!

Eventally I will be writing up the making of the Mirror Cuff, with all construction photographs, but for now, I would just like to share this with you.



The view into the keyhole





In it's presentation case

Click to expand...

I was privileged to see and to handle these at the UKEA meeting back in April and it's good to hear that they're now finished, Mick. Well done and I look forward to seeing them again at our next group meeting.

Mike Riccard
a.k.a. Mikeintightpants
Centre of England

Here are the latest pictures of my replica Mirror Handcuffs that many of you will have seen when I did my presentation at last years Cannon's Convention. They have taken me about 2 years on and off to build, using just basic workshop tools, and a lot of help from local engineering and metal plating companies.

As far as I know, they are the most accurate reproduction of these "Supercuffs" The design came from studying all the available photographs that I have in my collection, and with talking to the few people who have been lucky enough to handle the actual cuffs over the years.

The actual size was always a problem, as I have not been able to get any size (or technical) details from the current owner of the original cuffs, but those who have handled them told me they seem "just perfect"

Regading the locking mechanism, I already had made a matching replica key, and was pleased to be able to announce at the Convention, that the chief locksmith at Bramah Locks in London, was going to try to build this in their factory for me. The cuff was taken to the factory, but after waiting over 3 months, I needed the cuff back for a meeting of the United Kingdom Escape Artistes. (They had not yet seen the cuff) It was still without a lock. The Bramah guy had been very busy with work, and just hadn't found any spare workshop time to design and build the locking system.

So I thought, "The only person who understands the lock, and has all the equipment needed, is Ian McColl"

So I asked Ian if he would build a locking mechanism that would operate on the matching key. I was limited on what I wanted to spend, so Ian built a working mechanism up to my price, then I would then spend a little more time on the elusive Bramah mechanism later.

When it arrived back from Ian's, I was so happy that I had an operating Mirror Cuff.

Ian had used one of the Bramah cylinders I sent him, and I was able to build the working Bramah lock around that cylinder. It is now fully functional, using genuine Bramah parts.

I worked out that to pick the cylinder, it would take 6 picking operations just to get the cylinder to turn 1/6th of a revolution, 36 operations to get it to turn a full revolution, and 252 operations to turn the cylinder the full 7 revolutions to release the lock!

Not in 1 hour and 5 minutes, Harry!

Eventally I will be writing up the making of the Mirror Cuff, with all construction photographs, but for now, I would just like to share this with you.



The view into the keyhole





In it's presentation case

Click to expand...

Mick do you see a manuscript in the works ??


Michael Lee
USA

Here are the latest pictures of my replica Mirror Handcuffs that many of you will have seen when I did my presentation at last years Cannon's Convention. They have taken me about 2 years on and off to build, using just basic workshop tools, and a lot of help from local engineering and metal plating companies.

As far as I know, they are the most accurate reproduction of these "Supercuffs" The design came from studying all the available photographs that I have in my collection, and with talking to the few people who have been lucky enough to handle the actual cuffs over the years.

The actual size was always a problem, as I have not been able to get any size (or technical) details from the current owner of the original cuffs, but those who have handled them told me they seem "just perfect"

Regading the locking mechanism, I already had made a matching replica key, and was pleased to be able to announce at the Convention, that the chief locksmith at Bramah Locks in London, was going to try to build this in their factory for me. The cuff was taken to the factory, but after waiting over 3 months, I needed the cuff back for a meeting of the United Kingdom Escape Artistes. (They had not yet seen the cuff) It was still without a lock. The Bramah guy had been very busy with work, and just hadn't found any spare workshop time to design and build the locking system.

So I thought, "The only person who understands the lock, and has all the equipment needed, is Ian McColl"

So I asked Ian if he would build a locking mechanism that would operate on the matching key. I was limited on what I wanted to spend, so Ian built a working mechanism up to my price, then I would then spend a little more time on the elusive Bramah mechanism later.

When it arrived back from Ian's, I was so happy that I had an operating Mirror Cuff.

Ian had used one of the Bramah cylinders I sent him, and I was able to build the working Bramah lock around that cylinder. It is now fully functional, using genuine Bramah parts.

I worked out that to pick the cylinder, it would take 6 picking operations just to get the cylinder to turn 1/6th of a revolution, 36 operations to get it to turn a full revolution, and 252 operations to turn the cylinder the full 7 revolutions to release the lock!

Not in 1 hour and 5 minutes, Harry!

Eventally I will be writing up the making of the Mirror Cuff, with all construction photographs, but for now, I would just like to share this with you.



The view into the keyhole





In it's presentation case

Click to expand...

Michael, yes, I will be writing up the construction of the cuffs. I have all the construction photographs, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I'll probably add "The making of the Mirror Cuffs Key" to it as well.

I'll start working on it in the next few weeks hopefully.

Here are the latest pictures of my replica Mirror Handcuffs that many of you will have seen when I did my presentation at last years Cannon's Convention. They have taken me about 2 years on and off to build, using just basic workshop tools, and a lot of help from local engineering and metal plating companies.

As far as I know, they are the most accurate reproduction of these "Supercuffs" The design came from studying all the available photographs that I have in my collection, and with talking to the few people who have been lucky enough to handle the actual cuffs over the years.

The actual size was always a problem, as I have not been able to get any size (or technical) details from the current owner of the original cuffs, but those who have handled them told me they seem "just perfect"

Regading the locking mechanism, I already had made a matching replica key, and was pleased to be able to announce at the Convention, that the chief locksmith at Bramah Locks in London, was going to try to build this in their factory for me. The cuff was taken to the factory, but after waiting over 3 months, I needed the cuff back for a meeting of the United Kingdom Escape Artistes. (They had not yet seen the cuff) It was still without a lock. The Bramah guy had been very busy with work, and just hadn't found any spare workshop time to design and build the locking system.

So I thought, "The only person who understands the lock, and has all the equipment needed, is Ian McColl"

So I asked Ian if he would build a locking mechanism that would operate on the matching key. I was limited on what I wanted to spend, so Ian built a working mechanism up to my price, then I would then spend a little more time on the elusive Bramah mechanism later.

When it arrived back from Ian's, I was so happy that I had an operating Mirror Cuff.

Ian had used one of the Bramah cylinders I sent him, and I was able to build the working Bramah lock around that cylinder. It is now fully functional, using genuine Bramah parts.

I worked out that to pick the cylinder, it would take 6 picking operations just to get the cylinder to turn 1/6th of a revolution, 36 operations to get it to turn a full revolution, and 252 operations to turn the cylinder the full 7 revolutions to release the lock!

Not in 1 hour and 5 minutes, Harry!

Eventally I will be writing up the making of the Mirror Cuff, with all construction photographs, but for now, I would just like to share this with you.



The view into the keyhole





In it's presentation case

Click to expand...

The combination of talents that produced this cuff reminds me of the first time I ever saw a World's Finest comic--you know, Superman and Batman in the same story.
Mick Hanzlik and Ian McColl have combined to reproduce the Super Cuff.
And since the original is out of the picture, for all practical purposes, this IS the Super Cuff.
Hat's off to the World's Finest!