An unordinary piece from the past.

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

I am a bit puzzled as I thought ER's were made in the Philadelphia area which is some distance away. And why weren't lilly's used instead? And considering from Harpers ferry area to Philiadelphia is at least a good 4-5 hours drive and by horse and/or train would have been longer.

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

Click to expand...

NICE find Lars.

Here are some Census records showing ER in Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, West Virgina in 1850. Rickards is an Error - read Rickard.
And also in Champlin, Jefferson County in 1870. Many of the padlocks are stamped Shepherdstown. My opinion is that unless they are stamped ER then they could have been made by other members of the family. ERs father Michael and his sons were also locksmiths. I imagine more of a cottage industry than a Firm.
Paul

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

Click to expand...

First let me clarify that Michael Rickard was Elijah Jackman Rickards step-father.
His parents were Elizabeth Shindler and a man named Jackman.

This link shows the Michael Rickards house and workshop (much bigger than I had imagined). Also pics attached.
Mary Tyler Moore is a descendent of the Shindlers (for those of us old enough to remember her TV shows)
Conrad Shindler mentioned here is ERs grandfather.

http://www.relivinghistoryinc.org/Touri ... story.html

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

Click to expand...

I've been to the shephardstown twice and is nearby and located next to the Potomac river.

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

Click to expand...

Maybe a visit to the place is in the near future and will take pictures

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

Click to expand...

Hello,

Matt Forte, the author of American Police Collectibles and American Police Equipment, wrote a full article on Elijah Rickard for the never-published 2008 edition of the Handcuff Annual. He probably won't mind sending a copy to anyone who requests one. His e-mail address is [url=mailto:[email protected]][email protected][/url].

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

Click to expand...

No luck with Matt. I understand his reluctance to release an unpublished article.
Paul

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

Click to expand...

Thanks to all for the input! The owner told me the key is left hand threaded which was the
common pattern.

This is what the owner wrote me:

"The key is left-hand threaded and, in fact, that played a part in the provenance that came down from Hezekiah Atwood. It seems that ER (or someone at the jail), tied a strip of red flannel cloth to these irons to distinguish them as "the only left-hand thread" set. Apparently they had several sets when they went to arrest Brown and his men, and they didn't want to get the keys mixed up. Hezekiah's son, Charles Atwood, wrote of this in a letter that accompanied the irons, and was attached to them when his son (my grandfather), Carroll Eugene Atwood, came into possession. Later, my Aunt was allowed to take the irons to school for a "show-and-tell," and the teacher removed the flannel strip and the letter -- and promptly LOST THEM!
My grandmother tried to recover these, but they were well and truly gone.
She then re-wrote the letter as best she could recall, but the critical flannel strip could not be replaced. We are working now to establish an iron-clad provenance through the Historical Museum and other John Brown researchers - one of them may have a verbatim record of JB's "last words" or such to relate the bequeathment of the irons to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood.
Please feel free to share this story with the discussion forum - it is a bit like the "History Detectives" to put together such a good history that can be verified."

/Lars

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

Click to expand...

The one thing that puzzles me is that surely the leg irons did not belong to John Brown and were not his to give away. Whether they were souvenired or not might be the question.
Paul

I've had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose family possesses a very nice set of
the E.R. leg irons. Yes, I know what all of you think; WILL THEY BE LISTED ON EBAY?? NO they won't!
If you hope to get your fingers on them, stop reading here.

We can't have it all (unfortunately) but history is also very fashinating. There are a few pictures below,
together with the owner's story behind them. As living in Sweden, I'm unfortunately not very familiar
to the U.S history and John Brown in specific. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate history, especially on
such a reputable firm as Elijah Rickard. A few of us are lucky to have a piece from that firm in our
collections. Not much compare to these...

As soon as I know, I will get back and tell however these leg irons are left or right hand threaded.


Now, lift your eyes from common and ordinary stuff and enjoy history, beauty and true crafsmanship from the past!!



Happy reading,

Lars









From the owner:

"We have learned more in the past 24 hours regarding these leg irons than in the previous 150 years
they have been in the family. Not only is it more and more apparent that Elijah Rickard made the irons,
but we have a second source regarding his facility at manufacturing locks and such.

During a fire in Shepherdstown, he was summoned to unlock the fire brigade pump, as he "had made the lock"
securing the pump. Further, it turns out that the Shepherdstown Light Infantry (Hamtramck Guard) was the
first unit dispatched to put down the rebellion led by John Brown (carrying all their own equipment, of course),
and it is in Jefferson County (then Virginia), where Brown was tried, convicted and executed (Dec 1859), having
been in the custody of the Shepherdstown boys since October. These leg irons could, in fact, have been new
the day they were first applied to Brown following his capture.

We won't be selling them; if anything they will be donated in the family name to either the Harpers Ferry
National Historical Museum or another institution. (Unless they INSIST on paying for them....)

I am attaching another couple of photos - close up of the markings and another of the marking on the bow of the
key ("D2" corresponding with the irons). The punch appears to be slightly different from that used on the hand
irons, but that made be on account of the larger size. If you choose to do so, feel free to place the photo
record on your site (as an "oh, by the way" kind of item) and you may mention that the irons were first bequeathed
by Brown to the Chaplain, Hezekiah Atwood, great-great-grandfather of the four siblings who now have the honor of
holding the item. This is, if nothing else, further verification of the fact that ER was indeed making restraints
as early as Oct 1859."

Click to expand...

Hello,

I received an e-mail this morning from Matt Forte, who gave me this information to pass along.

"With the picture of the Michael Rickard house is a statement, 'Those handcuffs are said to be located now at the Jefferson County Museum.' Unfortunately, this is not so. I had been in contact with that museum and they do have a pair of handcuffs they thought might have been made by the Rickard family and at my request sent me clear photos of them. It turns out that what they have is a pair of darby handcuffs (standard pattern, swivel linkage - non-adjustable - non-flexible). They are stamped 'FW.SM' , which may stand for 'Fitzwilliam & Son' England. I explained to them what they had and I believe, based on my input, they have removed the cuffs from display."

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm