Mystery Nipper

I recently acquired the unusual nipper shown in the photos below. The previous owner stated that it had belonged to his father who had bought it in the 1960s. At that time he was told it was a prototype for a patent that was never issued.

The nipper has a plunger action that still works. The open nipper closes when pushed against the wrist. The small lever at the top of the lock case opens it up again. The surprising thing is that the nipper originally was key operated as well. Unfortunately that part no longer works. I took the side of the nipper off and found there were obviously missing parts that once were operated by the key.

So the big questions. Can anyone identify this nipper? Who do you think made it? When?

Joe

Could that perchance be the George Harrison nipper?

I recently acquired the unusual nipper shown in the photos below. The previous owner stated that it had belonged to his father who had bought it in the 1960s. At that time he was told it was a prototype for a patent that was never issued.

The nipper has a plunger action that still works. The open nipper closes when pushed against the wrist. The small lever at the top of the lock case opens it up again. The surprising thing is that the nipper originally was key operated as well. Unfortunately that part no longer works. I took the side of the nipper off and found there were obviously missing parts that once were operated by the key.

So the big questions. Can anyone identify this nipper? Who do you think made it? When?

Joe

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Hi Joe,

EXCELLENT FIND!!! Very COOL!!!


First the key post (in relation to the keyhole) strikes me as Tower (have you tried a Tower key?), something that I think is the key hole was not for a latch, but rather a bolt, as in a key operated deadlock/doublelock ie: turn the key one way to lock it, turn it the other to unlock. The screws for the cover look purpose made and I doubt the device would've gone into production with exposed screws anyhow, so the prototype idea makes a lot of sense to me, especially if you are taking it apart & putting it back together many times (I know, I use screws in my "prototypes").

I am going out on a limb here, but do you suppose it was intended to be locked to a person's wrist, and then locked to another object via the handle, like a lockable wrist "bullring"? I only surmise that, cause the handle looks quite beefy in relation to a mere "handle" used for control.


Thanks much for sharing!!!
--Vince


PS. Will this "unusual nipper" be visiting Indianapolis?

I recently acquired the unusual nipper shown in the photos below. The previous owner stated that it had belonged to his father who had bought it in the 1960s. At that time he was told it was a prototype for a patent that was never issued.

The nipper has a plunger action that still works. The open nipper closes when pushed against the wrist. The small lever at the top of the lock case opens it up again. The surprising thing is that the nipper originally was key operated as well. Unfortunately that part no longer works. I took the side of the nipper off and found there were obviously missing parts that once were operated by the key.

So the big questions. Can anyone identify this nipper? Who do you think made it? When?

Joe

Click to expand...

EDIT:

One more thing, as for a date, the raw quality of the parts would cause me to guess 1890's - 1910's - Too bad the plating was'nt intact

I recently acquired the unusual nipper shown in the photos below. The previous owner stated that it had belonged to his father who had bought it in the 1960s. At that time he was told it was a prototype for a patent that was never issued.

The nipper has a plunger action that still works. The open nipper closes when pushed against the wrist. The small lever at the top of the lock case opens it up again. The surprising thing is that the nipper originally was key operated as well. Unfortunately that part no longer works. I took the side of the nipper off and found there were obviously missing parts that once were operated by the key.

So the big questions. Can anyone identify this nipper? Who do you think made it? When?

Joe

Click to expand...

Vince
I agree with your analysis. I think the key was indeed for a simple bolt which double locked the cuff.
The key is similar to a Tower, but it is larger than a Tower key.
Joe

I recently acquired the unusual nipper shown in the photos below. The previous owner stated that it had belonged to his father who had bought it in the 1960s. At that time he was told it was a prototype for a patent that was never issued.

The nipper has a plunger action that still works. The open nipper closes when pushed against the wrist. The small lever at the top of the lock case opens it up again. The surprising thing is that the nipper originally was key operated as well. Unfortunately that part no longer works. I took the side of the nipper off and found there were obviously missing parts that once were operated by the key.

So the big questions. Can anyone identify this nipper? Who do you think made it? When?

Joe

Click to expand...

Joe-What a great find. It looks like a first cousin to a Maltby. The key lock is awesome. I can't think of anything close to this one.

Damon

I recently acquired the unusual nipper shown in the photos below. The previous owner stated that it had belonged to his father who had bought it in the 1960s. At that time he was told it was a prototype for a patent that was never issued.

The nipper has a plunger action that still works. The open nipper closes when pushed against the wrist. The small lever at the top of the lock case opens it up again. The surprising thing is that the nipper originally was key operated as well. Unfortunately that part no longer works. I took the side of the nipper off and found there were obviously missing parts that once were operated by the key.

So the big questions. Can anyone identify this nipper? Who do you think made it? When?

Joe

Click to expand...

Hi Joe, why not send it to John Bushey to get the locking bolt replaced??

Ian