Vintage Delastasius Cuffs. Does anyone know the value?

My grandfather passed away and we found these vintage handcuffs. After doing research I found that they are Delastasius from 1860.

Does anyone know the value?

Howdy Tim,

A nice pair with key and operating correctly could be worth about $1,000 to $1,500 give or take depending on several different variables. However, the pair that you have in your possession are in pretty darn rough shape...AND...if you do not have a key...it will be nearly impossible to know if they are in working condition. Often these pair of have issues, even when aesthetically they appear to be in good shape. These factors will decrease the value quite dramatically.

With that said, they are still a pair of Delastasius cuffs and are pretty rare and really neat item to have. Many would love to own a pair regardless of the shape they are in...so feel pretty darn lucky that you in fact do. If you want to know the value of basis of sale price...then feel free to place them on here for best offer...OR you can always do ebay, although you will have ebay fees and such going that route.

My grandfather passed away and we found these vintage handcuffs. After doing research I found that they are Delastasius from 1860.

Does anyone know the value?

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The Delastasius is a rare handcuff. As Joshua says condition is very important including the fuctionality of the locks. The locks need to be tight and resistant to being pulled open. An original key adds to the value as well. I have seen them under $1000 on ebay and as much as $2000 in nice condition with good locks and an original key from a collection. Money well spent in both cases.

Damon

My grandfather passed away and we found these vintage handcuffs. After doing research I found that they are Delastasius from 1860.

Does anyone know the value?

Click to expand...

If yoy decide to clean them up, don't do the obvious and take them to a wire wheel. That would reduce their value. I'd limit cleaning to the use of a rag and some gun oil to remove the surface rust.

My grandfather passed away and we found these vintage handcuffs. After doing research I found that they are Delastasius from 1860.

Does anyone know the value?

Click to expand...

It's hard to tell from the photo, but those might clean up nicely. The rust I can see looks red and new, and I can't tell if there has been any pitting. DO NOT SCRUB THEM WITH A WIRE BRUSH! Soak them in, or coat them with, WD-40 and let them sit for an hour or so. Then wipe off any loose rust with a clean, white rag. Do this 10 times and see how they look then.

While you're at it, flood the keyholes with WD-40 and then pour it back out. Reach as far as you can into the keyhole and clean it with a Q-tip. Repeat until the fluid which you pour out is not a nasty brown color.

DO NOT YANK THE CUFFS OPEN! Some people will tell you to do this, to "test" the locks. If you can pull them open it will prove that the locks are worn, and you will have just made them worse. Contact Ian McColl or the Cannons, via this web site, to see if they can supply a replacement key.

If it turns out that there is no pitting in the finish, I would estimate the value at more than $1,000. Depending upon how well they clean up, and the condition of the locks, perhaps significantly more.

My grandfather passed away and we found these vintage handcuffs. After doing research I found that they are Delastasius from 1860.

Does anyone know the value?

Click to expand...

These are indeed Very rare. After several years of hunting I only just got a pair from Stan's collection for the aforementioned price.

In any case you could do no better than to inquire to John Bushey (seen on this very website) and see if he would be kind enough work his magic on them. He has done fabulous things to rougher treasures.

Elliot