Ron85
#1Recently I have acquired these old thumbscrews. I believe they are french. Has anyone knowledge about the age, manufacturer, value etc. Please see the picture below. Any info would be appreciated!
The Forum at Handcuffs.Org
old thumbscrews
7 visible archived posts · 7 preserved total · topic ID 51
Steve Santini
#2Hi,
The thumbscrews you have are French in origin and probably date to the late 1800's. While thought by many to be medieval and an ancient instrument of torture, thumbscrew restraints such as these were used as a type of handcuff by both German and French police and prison authorities of this period. By this point in history, thumbscrews like these were actually looked upon as more of a restraint than a torture instrument (although they certainly could perform both duties just as well!). You will notice the small holes in the turn nut; these are for padlocks to secure the restraint. The screws you have are made of cast iron and are certainly 100% vintage and are certainly a very early form of thumbcuff. I hope some of this helps. Regards, Steve Santini
The thumbscrews you have are French in origin and probably date to the late 1800's. While thought by many to be medieval and an ancient instrument of torture, thumbscrew restraints such as these were used as a type of handcuff by both German and French police and prison authorities of this period. By this point in history, thumbscrews like these were actually looked upon as more of a restraint than a torture instrument (although they certainly could perform both duties just as well!). You will notice the small holes in the turn nut; these are for padlocks to secure the restraint. The screws you have are made of cast iron and are certainly 100% vintage and are certainly a very early form of thumbcuff. I hope some of this helps. Regards, Steve Santini
Bjoern
#3Does anyone know if there is a special kind of padlock which belongs to these thumbscrews ?Recently I have acquired these old thumbscrews. I believe they are french. Has anyone knowledge about the age, manufacturer, value etc. Please see the picture below. Any info would be appreciated!
Thanks a lot
Bjoern
Steve Santini
#4Hi,Recently I have acquired these old thumbscrews. I believe they are french. Has anyone knowledge about the age, manufacturer, value etc. Please see the picture below. Any info would be appreciated!
I have owned several pairs of these over the last 20 years and on 4 of them there was a padlock which came attatched. It would appear that any lever or warded padlock which would fit through the holes was used as I have yet to see the same lock on numerous pairs. Also, given the time period these restraints were used over, it is rather unlikely that any sort of "regulation padlock" was produced for sole use on them. Regards, Steve Santini
Ron
#5thank you Steve for the info!Recently I have acquired these old thumbscrews. I believe they are french. Has anyone knowledge about the age, manufacturer, value etc. Please see the picture below. Any info would be appreciated!
Ron
#6Just found this interesting auction on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... tegory=427Recently I have acquired these old thumbscrews. I believe they are french. Has anyone knowledge about the age, manufacturer, value etc. Please see the picture below. Any info would be appreciated!
The description says these were made by National Magic in 1949. Anyone heard of this firm? These thumbscrews do ressemble a lot like mine.
Don
#7The National Magic Company from the Information I have Obtained was Located in Chicago Illinois. I'm not sure if they are still in Business or History. Don,Recently I have acquired these old thumbscrews. I believe they are french. Has anyone knowledge about the age, manufacturer, value etc. Please see the picture below. Any info would be appreciated!