The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

Identify these cuffs?

8 visible archived posts · 8 preserved total · topic ID 4666

Larry 03 Mar 2012

I've been trying to figure out what model of cuffs these are. I'm aware of the auction a while back where a pair of S&W cuffs were auctioned, but those were used during interrogation, not for the transport/shooting.

What looks interesting to me is, just based on scale from comparing the cuff thickness to the thickness of the officer's finger (over 6' tall) and Oswald (oddly even the man's height has been called into question, but it ranges from 5'9 to 6'), it seems the cuffs are just a bit thinner than a grown man's finger. The shape of the cuff body where it attaches to the swivel is unusual, the swivel itself is unusually thin, and I have no idea what the "corner" is above Oswald's wrist. It almost looks like a Darby poking out, but I would find that hard to believe.

I'm also surprised that arguably the most notorious pair of cuffs in recent history are not in a collection/museum/etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

edgeplayusa 03 Mar 2012

I have no idea what the "corner" is above Oswald's wrist.

Is it a button on the officer's shirt?

Bruce Thomson 03 Mar 2012

I've been trying to figure out what model of cuffs these are. I'm aware of the auction a while back where a pair of S&W cuffs were auctioned, but those were used during interrogation, not for the transport/shooting.

What looks interesting to me is, just based on scale from comparing the cuff thickness to the thickness of the officer's finger (over 6' tall) and Oswald (oddly even the man's height has been called into question, but it ranges from 5'9 to 6'), it seems the cuffs are just a bit thinner than a grown man's finger. The shape of the cuff body where it attaches to the swivel is unusual, the swivel itself is unusually thin, and I have no idea what the "corner" is above Oswald's wrist. It almost looks like a Darby poking out, but I would find that hard to believe.

I'm also surprised that arguably the most notorious pair of cuffs in recent history are not in a collection/museum/etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

Click to expand...

Oswald was wearing a white long sleeved shirt under his dark sweater. I think what you are seeing is a bit of it bunched up. Long sleeves on suspects is always a real hassle to deal with as it can take up a lot of time to get it clear of the wrist when applying the cuff. some of the guys I deal with like to grab a handful of the sleeve or jacket cuff and bunch it up into a ball in their hand so the clothing interferes with applying the cuff - anything to drag it out and make it more difficult.

amazing010 03 Mar 2012

I've been trying to figure out what model of cuffs these are. I'm aware of the auction a while back where a pair of S&W cuffs were auctioned, but those were used during interrogation, not for the transport/shooting.

What looks interesting to me is, just based on scale from comparing the cuff thickness to the thickness of the officer's finger (over 6' tall) and Oswald (oddly even the man's height has been called into question, but it ranges from 5'9 to 6'), it seems the cuffs are just a bit thinner than a grown man's finger. The shape of the cuff body where it attaches to the swivel is unusual, the swivel itself is unusually thin, and I have no idea what the "corner" is above Oswald's wrist. It almost looks like a Darby poking out, but I would find that hard to believe.

I'm also surprised that arguably the most notorious pair of cuffs in recent history are not in a collection/museum/etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

Click to expand...

I believe I have seen a pretty good, close-up photo of Oswald just before he was shot and the cuffs were Peerless (old style, from 1915 or 1925 that take the solid tipped key). I have a TON of old crime books and the photo is probably in one of them but, it could take quite a bit of time to find it. I just checked one of the books that has Oswald in it but didn't find the photo I was looking for......however, I did find the photo of Charles Manson in a pair of Marlin Daley handcuffs. If I run into the photo, I will post something about it here.

Cheers, Mike D~C/

ChuckII 03 Mar 2012

I've been trying to figure out what model of cuffs these are. I'm aware of the auction a while back where a pair of S&W cuffs were auctioned, but those were used during interrogation, not for the transport/shooting.

What looks interesting to me is, just based on scale from comparing the cuff thickness to the thickness of the officer's finger (over 6' tall) and Oswald (oddly even the man's height has been called into question, but it ranges from 5'9 to 6'), it seems the cuffs are just a bit thinner than a grown man's finger. The shape of the cuff body where it attaches to the swivel is unusual, the swivel itself is unusually thin, and I have no idea what the "corner" is above Oswald's wrist. It almost looks like a Darby poking out, but I would find that hard to believe.

I'm also surprised that arguably the most notorious pair of cuffs in recent history are not in a collection/museum/etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

Click to expand...

I saw a TV special where the officer still had the cuffs, showed them to the reporter, and put them on her.

I'm looking for the video, but can't find it yet. But they did look like Peerless cuffs.

Unknown / guest 03 Mar 2012

I've been trying to figure out what model of cuffs these are. I'm aware of the auction a while back where a pair of S&W cuffs were auctioned, but those were used during interrogation, not for the transport/shooting.

What looks interesting to me is, just based on scale from comparing the cuff thickness to the thickness of the officer's finger (over 6' tall) and Oswald (oddly even the man's height has been called into question, but it ranges from 5'9 to 6'), it seems the cuffs are just a bit thinner than a grown man's finger. The shape of the cuff body where it attaches to the swivel is unusual, the swivel itself is unusually thin, and I have no idea what the "corner" is above Oswald's wrist. It almost looks like a Darby poking out, but I would find that hard to believe.

I'm also surprised that arguably the most notorious pair of cuffs in recent history are not in a collection/museum/etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

Click to expand...

Well, here they are, both sets (One pair on Oswald, the other pair connecting him to the Lieutenant) are Peerless.

Just scroll down a bit:http://thevelvetrocket.blogspot.com/200 ... -site.html

Marty 03 Mar 2012

I've been trying to figure out what model of cuffs these are. I'm aware of the auction a while back where a pair of S&W cuffs were auctioned, but those were used during interrogation, not for the transport/shooting.

What looks interesting to me is, just based on scale from comparing the cuff thickness to the thickness of the officer's finger (over 6' tall) and Oswald (oddly even the man's height has been called into question, but it ranges from 5'9 to 6'), it seems the cuffs are just a bit thinner than a grown man's finger. The shape of the cuff body where it attaches to the swivel is unusual, the swivel itself is unusually thin, and I have no idea what the "corner" is above Oswald's wrist. It almost looks like a Darby poking out, but I would find that hard to believe.

I'm also surprised that arguably the most notorious pair of cuffs in recent history are not in a collection/museum/etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

Click to expand...

Mr. Oswald was only in one set of cuffs at that unfortunate moment. They were Peerless Model 3.

To preserve sensibility, here is the cropped photograph when he was shot. As you can see, by the position of his left hand, he was not in two sets of cuffs.

Detective Leavelle donated those handcuffs to the Sixth Floor Museum, together with the suit and hat he was wearing at the time.

The sworn testimony of all officers involved in the escort clearly establish that only one set of handcuffs were used, connecting Mr. Oswald's right wrist to Detective Leavelle's left wrist.

When arrested at the Texas Theater on November 22, 1963, Mr. Oswald was also placed in Peerless handcuffs, Model 3, belonging to Dallas patrolman, M.N. McDonald.

I have those handcuffs, together with all supporting documentation from Officer McDonald. He was a friend of mine and introduced me to Detective Leavelle.

Those handcuffs are not for sale.

Unresolved image reference ↗

Anonymous 04 Mar 2012

I've been trying to figure out what model of cuffs these are. I'm aware of the auction a while back where a pair of S&W cuffs were auctioned, but those were used during interrogation, not for the transport/shooting.

What looks interesting to me is, just based on scale from comparing the cuff thickness to the thickness of the officer's finger (over 6' tall) and Oswald (oddly even the man's height has been called into question, but it ranges from 5'9 to 6'), it seems the cuffs are just a bit thinner than a grown man's finger. The shape of the cuff body where it attaches to the swivel is unusual, the swivel itself is unusually thin, and I have no idea what the "corner" is above Oswald's wrist. It almost looks like a Darby poking out, but I would find that hard to believe.

I'm also surprised that arguably the most notorious pair of cuffs in recent history are not in a collection/museum/etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

Click to expand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqAvYD_R ... re=related