Flexible Stotz Leg-Irons

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Screw this...between you sir and Lars...I'm moving to Germany!!! Fantastic piece!

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hey, I am just putting this out into the ether for anyone to mull over.

If the lock tubes are handcuff size and the bow length is normal ( as to handcuff size) and the bow portion between the lock tube and the hinge appears to be bent outward ( to me )

could this be a customise handcuff instead of a stock production leg iron???

either way, great find.

Ian

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Great find Michael. Do you know if this style is a factory item? Regardless it is a very nice piece.

Damon

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hi Joshua and Ian,

thank you very much, I am happy you like that piece. Yes, sometimes some nice stuff comes up over here, even outside ebay...

Ian, I am quite sure that these restraints were the Stotz company's earlier attempt to make leg-irons. They surely took what they had (locktubes, clevis), made the bow between the hinge and the lock longer and added the flexible bow.

I know of three other sets, just like this one, all in private collections one of them missing the rubber unfortunately. So, I am quite sure that this piece is factory-made.

When I compare these leg-irons with other models they appear relatively flimsy (if this is the right word), so possibly it was a lack of stability that made the Stotz company switch to the design with larger dimensions and solid bows.

Best

Michael

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hi Damon,

it seems your post came in when I was typing. Yes, I am absolutely sure that these irons were factory made. There are no traces that would let me think that these were post-factory modified.
The piece that goes into the lockcase is rather thin, these should be easy to shim.

best

Michael

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Michael,

You and Lars have become the masters of finding rare restraints. I may rent space from Joshua. The bango was nice as well.

Damon

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hi Michael, Thanks for the added info. As there are others out there in private collections WOW! (why do I live so far away from all the good stuff)

This will certainly look good in your amazing collections. again WOW.

Ian

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hi all,

and thanks again!

Michael

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Nice.
You often see oddball cuffs, but not of this quality.

I'd like to see a photo of the one without rubber. I guess the links are like bicycle chain??
Paul

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

I have a picture of the one without rubber somewhere, it is a paper print and I will have to search it. In case I find it I will post it here.

Yes, the bows consist of a kind of bycicle chain, I will make an X-ray in the next days when I have the time.

Best wishes,

Michael

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hello fellow collectors,

here is a picture of two of these restraints (B and C, the lower one without rubber on one side) in comparison to my Stotz leg irons with solid bows (A).



I am pretty sure that these leg irons are factory made, because I've seen more pieces of this model than of my model with solid bows.

Best regards,
Guenter

PS: congratulations to Michael... but it was not so difficult to make this find it was rather a question of money!

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Dear Guenter,

I happened to read your last comment and I must say I find it quite amazing. You wrote; but it was not so difficult to make this find it was rather a question of money!

First, how do you know they were easy to find? Second, most people don't steal money, they work to get them. I think Michael does too. Is it bad to work hard to earn money?
Why not share the joy with a fellow collector who managed to add a great piece to his collection insted of dropping such comment?

Many of us have paid top prices (myself included) to add rare restraints to a collection. Is that bad or does it make the addition less important because the person could afford to pay the price?

To be honest, it sounds like you wanted these leg irons yourself and you begrudge Michael as he had the money to buy them.

Regards,

Lars

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

I have always found the hunt for restraints to be the fun part of collecting. It is exciting to find a rare piece at a perceived low price but there is always a price. Michael is one of the smartest and most discerning collectors in the hobby and a nice man to boot. I have lost several auctions to Michael, not because he has more money but because he is a bit smarter than me. And I admit it.

Damon

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

It is very hard to read the Tone of a message, especially if English is not your first language, but atame congratulated Michael and ended with a wink and smile icon. He also added some great photos and info. It is easy to get your nose out of joint if you read too much into it. I'm reluctant to "share" my finds because it is seen as gloating, but if something truly rare comes along we should add to the shared knowledge of our hobby, otherwise what's the point of collecting.
Paul

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

All good points and Paul's statement on tone is especially applicable, particularly when ended with a smiley face lol. Personally I've never paid top dollar for an item (Lars this is where you laugh and say "I call bull sh*t") but very few collectors can easily afford to pay high end prices without changing priorities or making sacrifices. I can assure you when I get such a piece at high dollar amount I'm no less happy to have such an item in my collection (my wife's opinion may vary). Should I get that cuff for $100 then it's only an added bonus and story to tell.

Lastly and at the risk of sounding like a broken record...all the info and photos you have all shared on this site is priceless and I personally can't thank you all enough. Without it I wouldn't be in this hobby and have the passion for collecting that I currently have. Keep em coming and please share the wealth of knowledge so that my generation will have the oppurtunity to enjoy this collection as well.

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hello Lars,

all I wanted to say is that in this very case it was not a matter of searching. Here Michael did not e.g. go to small flea markets to find these Stotz leg irons. The seller offered this piece to every German (or even worldwide) collector he knew (including me) and asked for the highest price. Michael offered the highest bid and that's okay. To sum it up: it's not difficult to find something, if it comes to you!

Regards,
Guenter

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hi, any chance of a photo of the whole length of the section with the notches and is this chain the same as regular bike chain and of what peroid in time (does anyone out there also collect old bicycles to see how chain was and has varied if at all over the years.

I am leading towards the cuffs being a modification and factory built. The Stotz leg irons of Atames has so much more class and even the lock is made proportate to the large leg iron frame.

Ian

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hi everyone,

when I posted the pics of the Stotz leg-irons my intention was to share some knowledge with my fellow collectors. Stotz leg-irons are rather rare and the flexible version was unknown to many of us. So, posting the pictures was appreciated by most of you (thanks go out to all of you who have sent me private messages instead of posting here!).

What I surely had not expected was the kind of discussion that arose here, so perhaps I should write a few lines.

Atame is right when he says, these irons rather found me than that I found them.

Does that make the irons less interesting?

Atame is right that I paid an amount of money for them; an amount of money that makes both the seller happy that he sold the item and the buyer that he bought them.

Does that make the irons less interesting?

In everyday life most of the times a deal is just a deal; you go into a grocery store, get your coke, chips and chocolate (or whatever you think is good for you) pay for it and you are done.
When we talk about collectibles the situation may be rather different; here we do not only have the item and the money. In a functioning network we see more than that; what starts with a name on a website or a forum over the years is filled with life and personal experiences. Friendships are built up. And all of a sudden getting that very handcuff or making the highest money with a piece one wants to sell no longer is the most important issue. Sometimes seeing a piece being added to a friend's collection and filling that gap that had been there for so long can be nicer than getting that piece for yourself.

Yes, Atame, the irons found me, and I paid for them. But if you think I put in the highest bid - no, I did not. It must have been something different than the money.

With kind regards

Michael

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Good to see a true collector got a nice set of Leg Irons .. Nice find and a and a great piece to your growing collection of rare handcuffs.

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Michael, it doesn't matter how you got them and what you paid. You have something that you want and you have shared it with us, without that, NONE of us would be any wiser but we are now.

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

I'd never thought that my tongue-in-cheek comment called forth by the word "find" would cause quite a stir!

Best regards and happy collecting!
Guenter

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

They do look pretty cool.

thx 4 sharing the pictures.

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

These are mere Stotz HANDCUFFS which were POST FACTORY ALTERED !!!

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Because you're too big of a chiken s**t to state your name, your opinion is irrelevant an not wanted.

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Although I once made up my mind not to feed anonymous trolls and moreover in danger to be again imputed of being an envious person , I dare to question if Mr. or Mrs. Anonymous might be right here.

I took a close look at the bows - the curved stationary one and the end-part with the notches - at all the pictures and it looks like if they were bent to enlarge the diameter. The whole style with the rubber covered bicycle chains remind me on Horst Stein restraints. So is it really impossible that this or another company transformed old Stotz handcuffs into leg irons, maybe during WWII?

Best regards,
Guenter

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Thanks fot sharing them w/ us Michael
Great images of a great pair of irons.

Michael Lee

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hi again,

and thank you all for your thoughts on the irons! I think there is no doubt that handcuff parts were used to produce them. These parts most probably were modified by hand, so both sides are not identical. Here a view of the bows that carry the locktube, for comparison:



In one of my previous posts I wrote that the bow between the hinge and the locktube is longer on the leg-irons than on the cuffs; on second glance I must say that this is not true, it just appeared to be longer, as the bow is more stretched on the irons than on the cuffs.

Also those parts of the irons that carry the notches appear to be modified handcuff parts, the shape is not completely identical:



My best idea still is that the Stotz company received a request about leg-irons and they took what they had to make them. Later they came out with a whole new design, the irons that we know in the collections of Atame and Mark L.

More ideas anyone?

Best wishes

Michael

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hello Michael,

thank you for the new pictures and for sharing your thoughts.

Do you know, how long Stotz was in business?

Best regards,
Guenter

Hi all,

a few days ago I came across a pair of Stotz flexible leg-irons, and I thought I show you a few pictures. These flexible irons are quite different from the Stotz irons with solid bows that are around. The flexibles have the same size locktube as the handcuffs (the locktubes on the solid bow irons are larger), the bows are segmented and rubber covered. Irons and key are equally numbered.

Best,

Michael

Click to expand...

Hi Michael, thank you for your thoughts and added info and photos. I think the date of the chain is the clue.

Ian