Nova Scotia Leg Irons

Hello all,

Does anyone know exactly what Nova Scotia Leg Irons are? Houdini noted that he discovered these irons in Nova Scotia in the 1890's.

Houdini kept them on his list of restraints that could be used by potential challengers coming to his shows. His Chicago dealer, A. Roterberg, told him they were too obscure to worry about but Houdini insisted he be prepared.

I have some correspondence between Houdini and Roterberg where Houdini writes, "You must have a seperate key for the leg iron, it has a square bow instead of a round one."

My research here in Nova Scotia seems to indicate the irons in question were used by the British Navy.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Bruce MacNab
New Ross, Nova Scotia
Canada

Bruce,
I think that Houdini and Roterberg may be discussing whether or not to include the key(s) in the sets of keys that Roterberg was manufacturing for Houdini's Defiance Handcuff Act. Ralph Read was a partner, too, and wrote the instructions.
Was the correspondence from around 1907-8?

Hello all,

Does anyone know exactly what Nova Scotia Leg Irons are? Houdini noted that he discovered these irons in Nova Scotia in the 1890's.

Houdini kept them on his list of restraints that could be used by potential challengers coming to his shows. His Chicago dealer, A. Roterberg, told him they were too obscure to worry about but Houdini insisted he be prepared.

I have some correspondence between Houdini and Roterberg where Houdini writes, "You must have a seperate key for the leg iron, it has a square bow instead of a round one."

My research here in Nova Scotia seems to indicate the irons in question were used by the British Navy.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Bruce MacNab
New Ross, Nova Scotia
Canada

Click to expand...

Hi Patrick,

Yes, the letters are from 1908. But he does preface with, "Regarding Nova Scotia leg iron..."

It's #61 on Houdini's list and he notes, "Nova Scotia Leg Iron found by Houdini in Nova Scotia. Key turns half way. Scarce."

It's very little information. But unfortunately, it's all I have.

Let me know if you have anything within your impressive files! Thank you for your interest.

Cheers,
Bruce

Hello all,

Does anyone know exactly what Nova Scotia Leg Irons are? Houdini noted that he discovered these irons in Nova Scotia in the 1890's.

Houdini kept them on his list of restraints that could be used by potential challengers coming to his shows. His Chicago dealer, A. Roterberg, told him they were too obscure to worry about but Houdini insisted he be prepared.

I have some correspondence between Houdini and Roterberg where Houdini writes, "You must have a seperate key for the leg iron, it has a square bow instead of a round one."

My research here in Nova Scotia seems to indicate the irons in question were used by the British Navy.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Bruce MacNab
New Ross, Nova Scotia
Canada

Click to expand...

One more thing Patrick,

Your book finally cleared Canadian customs and arrived safely here in New Ross(the alleged former home of Prince Henry Sinclair.)

It's a fine book with plenty of rare images. Thank you for working so hard on this and making it available. Everybody will "Key" in on different parts of your book - but for me there was one very special image that was worth twice the price of the book.

Sincerely,
Bruce MacNab