The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

WTB a few Peerless

20 visible archived posts · 20 preserved total · topic ID 4689

David 20 Mar 2012

Thought I would post a few peerless cuffs I want to add to my collection.
These are listed according to the models & variations Franklin posted back in 2009.
1. Peerless Model 1 Version 2: Constructed with a left & right hand cuff joined by a single chain link.
Left & Right Front: THE PEERLESS HANDCUFF CO. SPRINGFIELD MASS.
PAT. FEB. 20, 1912 (stamped on pawl)
Left & Right Rear: MFGD. BY SMITH & WESSON
Right Rear Body: early peerless logo with TRADE at top & MARK at bottom.

2. Peerless Model 1 Version 3: Joined together by 2 links.
Left & Right Front: THE PEERLESS HANDCUFF CO. SPRINGFIELD MASS.
Left & Right Rear: PAT. FEB. 20, 1912 NOV. 23, 1915
No logo on this version.

3. Peerless Model 1 Version 5: Joined together by 2 links.
Left & Right Front: THE PEERLESS HANDCUFF CO. SPRINGFIELD MASS.
Left & Right Rear: PAT. FEB. 20, 1912 NOV. 23, 1915
Right Rear Body: Peerless logo, TRADE MARK at top, REGISTERED at bottom. Logo is rotated 90 degrees clockwise.

4. Peerless Model 1 Version 6: Same as Version 5, but this one has serial numbers on the front of both cuffs.

5. Peerless Model 2 Version 2:
Serial numbers on the front of both cuffs.
Left & Right Front: THE PEERLESS HANDCUFF CO. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (comma added after SPRINGFIELD)
Left & Right Rear: PAT. FEB. 20, 1912 OCT. 19, 1915 & NOV. 23, 1915 PAT. PENDING
Peerless logo is upright.

6. Peerless Model 2 Version 3: Same as Version 2 except the serial number is on the left front only.

7.Peerless Model 3 Version 1: Serial number on left front is now stamped vertically between the keyway & swivel.
Left & Right Front: THE PEERLESS HANDCUFF CO. SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
Left & Right Rear: PATENT 1157135 1161562 1531451 MADE IN U.S.A.
Right Rear: Peerless Logo

8. Peerless Model 3 Version 5: The Peerless logo is no longer stamped on the cuffs & the # sign preceeds the serial numberon the left front cuff.
Left Front & Right Rear: PATENT 1531451 1872857 MADE IN U.S.A.
Right Front & Left Rear: THE PEERLESS HANDCUFF CO. SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

Peerless Model 3 Version 7: Markings are no longer stamped, but are mechanically etched, only on the front of the cuffs.
Left Front: Serial number with # sign,
MODEL 300 PEERLESS HANDCUFF CO (period after CO eliminated)
SPRINGFIELD, MA
Right Front: PATENT 15311451 1872857 MADE IN USA (periods eliminated)

9.Peerless Model 3 Version 8: same as Version 7 except the RF is changed.
Right Front: PATENTED MADE IN USA

10. I would also like a Smith & Wesson Model 95.

If anyone has any (or all) of these for sale would you please contact me with your price and contact information.

Thank you for looking,
Dave
dltvette@comcast.net

Franklin 20 Mar 2012

Good luck on finding your number one item. I only know of two in collections with that early Peerless logo. Peerless themselves have no record of the same. I gave mine to a good friend a while back.

Perhaps he will be kind enough to post a photo of the same here, just so the collectors can see what it looks like.

A minor little nuance, perhaps, but one I found quite interesting.

Anonymous 20 Mar 2012

I am the new owner of Franklins 1912 Peerless model 1 with logo, I will post some photos later today.It is basically the same handcuff but with the Peerless Trade Mark Logo on the lock case of the cuff.I have two other models of the 1912 model 1 and neither has this mark. This for any Peerless collector would be a major find, as Franklin says even Peerless doesn't know about this example.

dltvette 20 Mar 2012

Franklin,
Thanks for the information. Would you mind sending me your contact information ? Email or phone. I would really like to talk with you.
Thanks,
Dave
dltvette@comcast.net

Anonymous 21 Mar 2012

as promised the photos of the Peerless Model 1 1912 with the trade mark logo, only one other is known in collections, I prefer my name not be shown here as I do not wish to part with this handcuff.

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David 21 Mar 2012

Very cool. Thank you for sharing this example. It just make the hunt more fun.
Dave

Franklin 22 Mar 2012

David:

Hope you get as lucky as I did. I got this cuff off of eBay some ten years ago. The only reason I wanted it was that the finish on it was in much better shape than the example I had. When I got it, and saw it had that logo on it, I believe I muttered something along the lines of "What the ****?" All the other Peerless logos I had seen had TRADE MARK at the top and REGISTERED at the bottom.

Because of its age, I knew Peerless would have no record of its manufacture, but I wrote them about the logo. Their response was along the lines of, "We've seen that logo on some of our old letterheads, but never knew it was used on any cuffs." The best guess is that it's the original logo as it appeared before it was registered with the U.S. Patent, Trademark and Copyright office.

Some time later, I stumbled across another collector who had one. Like me, his attitude was "That's weird. I think I'll keep it."

So, I suppose there are others out there, it's just a question of finding them. Happy hunting.

Franklin

dltvette 21 Jun 2012

I can cross off the 1st item on my list, the Peerless Model 1 Version 2. I found a pair yesterday and was very happy to add it to my collection. I talked to Franklin soon after I purchased them and he said this is now the 3rd pair of he knows of.
Here are a few photos.
Dave

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Anonymous 21 Jun 2012

Franklin and David,

I also have a Peerless model 1 version 2 cuff with 'trade' above and 'mark' below the logo - as the photos detail. Also on the left cuff it has the initials M.P. and the number 11 stamped near the keyway - no clue what these markings represent though.

So, that makes four. I had no idea this logo variant was rare - I'm still pretty much a newbie to the game (hence forgive me for posting anonymously for now), so it was quite a surprise to read everyone's posts in this thread.

Long may the collecting continue!

Graham Chatfield 22 Jun 2012

#10

Ok... I'm number 5 then. I think they are more common than we think

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Franklin 22 Jun 2012

#11

Thanks to all of you.

After all, half the trick in finding clues is knowing that they are there.

Whether there may be five, or fifty, five hundred or more out there of this item, what gratifies me is that folks are digging about in otherwise forgotten corners and are beginning to have fun collecting Peerless handcuffs. And they are fun to collect.

Now, I want to go on record with respect to that damned list I prepared:

1)I do not claim it to be definitive, and I truly trust no one will accept it as such. It ain't gospel. It is simply a record of the Peerless cuffs I was able to find.

2) Within that list, my use of the terms model, version, variation and such were purely arbitrary upon my part. Use whatever terminology strikes your fancy to describe what you have or may want to have.

3) Just have fun messing around with these, simply for the joy of collecting.

So, my congratulations to all on finding, and having, your Version 1, Model 2, uhhhh, Type 2, Version 1, uhhhh, Model 1 patent something-or-another or whatever.

LORD! Collecting Peerless handcuffs is truly confusing.

Franklin

xHoudini 27 Jun 2012

#12

If you hadn't done this post I may have never noticed this cuff variation existing right in my collection.

A tip of the hat to you sir..... ( ok, ball cap )

My set is a bit dark from age, but it is what it is.

Unknown / guest 27 Jun 2012

#13

pretty sure my early peerless cuff collection is complete now.

( until another variation is discovered. )

Enjoy........

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dltvette 27 Jun 2012

#14

xHoudini,
I guess you are number six known to have these until some more surface. Still pretty rare for something almost 90+ years old. I sent photos of mine to Chris Gill at Peerless, asking him if he could offer any insight on these and what period this trade mark might have been used. Here is his response:

David,

Unfortuneatly the only records we have here are for serial numbers of the cuffs. Other than some old undated advertising materials we do not have any records of the trade mark and the stamp used to put it on the cuff.

Its nice that you have the old key, Im sure youre aware that those are very difficult to find. Does the cuff you have double lock with the key or a push pin on the side?

Chris Gill
Peerless Handcuff Company
95 State Street
Springfield, MA 01103
413-732-2156
800-732-3705
Fax: 413-734-5467

I also sent him a photo of a letter dated March 24th, 1926 from Peerless to Smith & Wesson that had this early trade mark used on these cuffs. I have 4 of these letters with the early trade mark all dated 1926.
I still have a few early Peerless variations I am looking for (please check the beginning of this thread). If anyone can help me fill these holes, please contact me.
Thanks, Dave
Here is the photo of the letter I sent to Chris Gill:

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Vince 28 Jun 2012

#15

http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f= ... 41aik4.6.2

The above link is for the Peerless Handcuff co's original trademark design,
(kinda resembles a turntable adaptor, no?)

ENJOY,
--Vince

k20-on-tec 04 Feb 2017

#16

.html?sort=3&o=0
Was reading through this old post and thought i am sure i have seen this trade mark before. So i guess i have pair number 7.

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Gk1 23 Jun 2019

#17

I have been handed down a pair of S&W TRADE (on the top) MARK (at the bottom) logo handcuffs. In incredible condition considering the age. They also have another engraving (C.O.Co 483) on them. Trying find out more about them but seem they are the more rare version. Also has two original keys.

dltvette 23 Jun 2019

#18

George,
I replied to the email you sent me.
I now have 2 examples, one of which was found in the Smith & Wesson Factory, by a long time employee & historian, pictured here.
Dave

k20-on-tec 14 Jul 2019

#19

I also have a set they say c o co and are nimbered 410 could not find anything on it though so just plucking straws at what it could stand for really.

Matt3114 14 Jul 2019

#20

Peerless records indicate that they filed an application to register their trademark (a circle surrounding 3 handcuff bows) on February 2, 1937. Once issued I assume they stated to add REGISTERED under their logo. When they filed the registration request they stated, "The trade-mark has been continuously used and applied to said goods in applicant's business since June 14, 1916".

Matt