Prison Ball and Chain

I have had this old ball and chain that I bought 25 years ago at a garage sale for $2. The ball weighes 64 lbs and the chain is 7 feet long. The swivel is marked Cleveland on one side and Electra on the reverse. I do not have a key and wonder if one could be made. The leg cuff is marked what I believe to be Tower. I could clean it up to read it clearly but I have no idea the proper way to address it. Plus I do not think disturbing the patina would be a good idea. Any information would help...Russ

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Someone offered me $150.00 for it should I take it?

I have had this old ball and chain that I bought 25 years ago at a garage sale for $2. The ball weighes 64 lbs and the chain is 7 feet long. The swivel is marked Cleveland on one side and Electra on the reverse. I do not have a key and wonder if one could be made. The leg cuff is marked what I believe to be Tower. I could clean it up to read it clearly but I have no idea the proper way to address it. Plus I do not think disturbing the patina would be a good idea. Any information would help...Russ

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No its worth more

I have had this old ball and chain that I bought 25 years ago at a garage sale for $2. The ball weighes 64 lbs and the chain is 7 feet long. The swivel is marked Cleveland on one side and Electra on the reverse. I do not have a key and wonder if one could be made. The leg cuff is marked what I believe to be Tower. I could clean it up to read it clearly but I have no idea the proper way to address it. Plus I do not think disturbing the patina would be a good idea. Any information would help...Russ

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How much do you think it's worth? And would you touch the finish or leave it as is?

I have had this old ball and chain that I bought 25 years ago at a garage sale for $2. The ball weighes 64 lbs and the chain is 7 feet long. The swivel is marked Cleveland on one side and Electra on the reverse. I do not have a key and wonder if one could be made. The leg cuff is marked what I believe to be Tower. I could clean it up to read it clearly but I have no idea the proper way to address it. Plus I do not think disturbing the patina would be a good idea. Any information would help...Russ

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clean only with a rag, lightly oiled, oil inside of lock case, after air blowing with canned air,oil hedges, if tapping necessary use non marring tools TOWER PATD. dates should be between keyhole and henge !!

LK D~D

PS if you need a key ,contact JOHN BUSHEY

I have had this old ball and chain that I bought 25 years ago at a garage sale for $2. The ball weighes 64 lbs and the chain is 7 feet long. The swivel is marked Cleveland on one side and Electra on the reverse. I do not have a key and wonder if one could be made. The leg cuff is marked what I believe to be Tower. I could clean it up to read it clearly but I have no idea the proper way to address it. Plus I do not think disturbing the patina would be a good idea. Any information would help...Russ

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I won't give a direct est on price as there are too many factors to
consider. What I can tell you is that it's not a catalogue ordered all original Tower ball and chain. Not to say it hasn't been used on prisoners as many were cobbled together which could've been more practical using what they had on hand. The other big unknown would be if the leg iron/shackle works properly. I think it's a nice example of and I've sold them from $200 including shipping all the way up to $800 (for an original Tower) not including shipping. In regards to the patina...do not touch it...at all. The condition isn't causing the item to deteriorate and many times the patina is highly desired. It's likely that $150 offer won't even be on the table if you clean it up. Always good to let the collector decide what he wants to do with the item. Best of luck

I have had this old ball and chain that I bought 25 years ago at a garage sale for $2. The ball weighes 64 lbs and the chain is 7 feet long. The swivel is marked Cleveland on one side and Electra on the reverse. I do not have a key and wonder if one could be made. The leg cuff is marked what I believe to be Tower. I could clean it up to read it clearly but I have no idea the proper way to address it. Plus I do not think disturbing the patina would be a good idea. Any information would help...Russ

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I saw that the heaviest ball offered was 50 lbs and the chain was 6'6" so I figured it was different. Does anyone know what the circumference should be?

I have had this old ball and chain that I bought 25 years ago at a garage sale for $2. The ball weighes 64 lbs and the chain is 7 feet long. The swivel is marked Cleveland on one side and Electra on the reverse. I do not have a key and wonder if one could be made. The leg cuff is marked what I believe to be Tower. I could clean it up to read it clearly but I have no idea the proper way to address it. Plus I do not think disturbing the patina would be a good idea. Any information would help...Russ

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Looking at this picture It would appear that the links up to the cuff are different from mine. However it kind of looks like a leg iron pair might have been split and added to the chain.

I have had this old ball and chain that I bought 25 years ago at a garage sale for $2. The ball weighes 64 lbs and the chain is 7 feet long. The swivel is marked Cleveland on one side and Electra on the reverse. I do not have a key and wonder if one could be made. The leg cuff is marked what I believe to be Tower. I could clean it up to read it clearly but I have no idea the proper way to address it. Plus I do not think disturbing the patina would be a good idea. Any information would help...Russ

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I can see that a ring has been electrically welded to the ball and attached to the chain with a "split link" which tells me that these are pieces cobbled together.

I have had this old ball and chain that I bought 25 years ago at a garage sale for $2. The ball weighes 64 lbs and the chain is 7 feet long. The swivel is marked Cleveland on one side and Electra on the reverse. I do not have a key and wonder if one could be made. The leg cuff is marked what I believe to be Tower. I could clean it up to read it clearly but I have no idea the proper way to address it. Plus I do not think disturbing the patina would be a good idea. Any information would help...Russ

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Here is a picture of the ring: [/IMG]