Houdini Mirror Cuffs

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

fantastic find Ron, thank you for sharing. Interesting stories. Russ and Jew and his matches.....
no article on houdini though, odd way to set out a page.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

The larger photo is of special interest...

You may not notice it at a quick glance, but on the stage - to the left of Houdini & the committee (stage right)....is Houdini's "Ghost House" cabinet...where he would retire in private - to escape from a challenger's handcuffs.

In this "Mirror Handcuff" Challenge...he was in that small cabinet for over an hour - and for the most part, we would assume - on his knees.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

That key is MUCH smaller than any of the repro keys. Has Mick Hanzlik seen this article?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

don't worry John, it's a drawing not real life. Mick know better, he's British.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Im not so sure it's a drawing, and if so, why the short key? I know what the original keys look like, and this is the very first picture I have seen of a short key. This needs more research. I'm still convinced this is a photo, as in those days, I don't think anyone would bother to draw something that looks photo realistic.

I'd appreciate any thoughts, as I need to get to the bottom of this.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

When he allowed the smaller duplicate key which he actually used to escape from the cuffs to be photographed.

Just a theory but a plausible one.

Steve Santini

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Agreed Steve. Due to the size of the short key, this could re-open up the idea of the key being concealed in the glass of water, or even in Bess's mouth when she gave him a kiss. The regular size keys could have been shown later, therefore making the public think that concealment was impossible. As this short key has not been seen in any pictures, except this one, my guess is that after the escape, it was probably destroyed.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Forget about the glass of water, the kiss, etc.

All legend and smoke and mirrors.

Last time I checked Harry was not searched prior to entering The Ghost House.

Nor was The Ghost House Itself.

Method? Harry had a small duplicate key on him and used it to open the cuffs.

End of story. No myth, no legend. Just logic.

And yes, you can quote me on this.

Steve Santini

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I'm glad I spotted the post on eBay. Question for those of you who have seen the real Mirror cuff. Looking at the surface of the lock tube in the picture, the surface looks to be uneven. Does this picture look like the real cuff as far a the surface finish is concerned?

Ron

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I have examined the picture closely, and can confirm, 100% that the cuffs in this new photo are NOT the original Mirror Cuffs. There are are so many differences, in the hinge design etc. So that makes me wonder about the key. This could have been a dummy cuff and key built just to publicise the challenge. If you can, do a comparison to see what I mean.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I have adjusted the dimensions of the DC mirror image and the article image to the same size. I would suggest that the cuff is the same minus the dark lines which appear to have been drawn onto the negative (?) or image before it was cropped and put into the article. These lines that appear to be there to show or enhance the outline have slightly distorted image.

We would need to hear from someone who has knowledge as to the process of printing images back in the 1900's.

As none of us were there for the challenge, we cannot say for sure what happened or didn't happen. So much is myth and legend.

I cannot see any advantage of having a smaller key and don't believe the image of the key in the article is accurate. (It could be that the person who set up the article had already heard rumours of the key passed in a kiss story, and crop the key to suit the rumour.
I certainly don't believe that the key in a glass of water story. Just having a spare key (if that is what he used) in his pocket, would have been a simpler way.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Ian, the most significant difference is the top hinge. You will notice that the rounded part is on the left hand part of the shackle, instead of the right hand part, as on the DC originals. Also, no hinge pins are visible!

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I have to agree with Mick, the pictures Ian sent me do not look like the one in the pictures. As Mick noted the hinge pins look different and the finish on the lock tube seem to be a lessor quality than the pictures of the one in the Copperfield collection.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Very interesting photo, like Ian I think it is the same cuff. Think the top hinge may be half the thickness of the bow. If you look at the Silver Replica photo where the photo is taken the same way round the top hinge is correct. So if we assume this was an exact replica the picture in the article could be the same. As Ian says they may have edited the key as it would be too long to make a balanced photo.
However, I do have to agree the finish is quite poor but the one in the DC collection is also quite pitted.
Just my thoughts.
Chris Gower

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Sorry to disagree guys. Let me explain. The new picture with the short key, and the silver replica cuffs have the same top hinge design. Look at a picture of the genuine cuffs and study the part where the bows connect by the hinge. On the genuine cuff, the left hand bow fits INSIDE the hinge assembly of the right hand bow.

On the silver replicas, and the new picture, the left hand bow fits on the OUTSIDE of the hinge assembly of the right hand bow, so there is an obvious difference.

I will try to upload a picture if I can figure out how to do it!

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

OK,,,I'm gonna run something by you all about the short key.
What if thats the original key? I ask that because is it possible that Houdini made the long keys for publicity sake? He is known for throwing red herrings out,,ie: the little cage far down on the Siberian Prison Cart,
I'm saying this because, although the pic of him being locked up is kinda lacking detail I cant help but think I see a small key in the hands of the challenger (the way his hand is, looks like holding a small key, not the large one)

I can imagine that for all publicity matters the long key would be talked about because of its extraordinary size, again doesnt matter in magic how its accomplished, what truly matters is what the audience takes away from it and i would think the press would really latch onto that huge key..

Ok,,,it was just a thought

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

Michael, yes, I mentioned that a few postings ago. The bigger key would look impressive so therefore making them challenge more impressive.

We know that the longer key survived as we have pictures of Bess holding it, and it is now resting in the lock at David's museum. I guess that the small key was destroyed or "lost" so the concealment method was not considered.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I managed to get the picture uploaded (my first time) It's a little small, and the wording you may not be able to read, mentions that the small curve on the original bow is missing from the other one, and the hinge pins are also missing

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

One thing that has not been mentioned is that the longer key would be easier to manipulate and work with in order to make the escape.

Ron

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Mick you are right, this would seem to imply that perhaps there were two models made if we assume the picture in The Tatler magazine was a photo which it would appear to be. This also implies that the Silver Replica was modelled on the Tatler Photo as the top hinge pin is the same and it is also missing the lug where the bow goes into the lockcase.
Chris Gower

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Chris, my thoughts are that the silver replica and the "Tatler" cuffs were made by the same person, because all the features are the same. This now creates another riddle - what happened to the "Tatler" cuffs?

I wonder why the silver cuffs were solid and not working.

There was a rumour once about a wooden set of Mirror Cuffs in the cabinet at Niagara once, which were made to look like the originals. Possibly to avoid theft of the original ones.

We all know that in order to cast something in any metal (silver?) a pattern has to be made, In order to make a mould to pour the molten metal.

Could the wooden set have been the wooden patten, and then used in the Niagara display?

I wonder if anyone else had heard this story?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

There are black lines drawn on the outline of the cuff and thru the hinge area to enhance the shape. These lines have changed the shape of the cuff. I think people are clutching at straws to make a bigger deal out of this picture. The cuff is also one a slight angle and because of the flash(?) sunlight or lack of sunlight, the rivets are not as visible as in the DC photo. There is so much we don't know no point guessing.

The silver pair has not break in the centre, it’s solid, so it counts theses cuffs (tattler & DC) out as the source or wooden pattern.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I still disagree IM. I have in my posession a hi-res picture of the silver replica cuffs with exactly the same "markings" and these are lines cut into the metal, to appear like joints on the hinge. The rivets on the originals are very plain to see. There is no indication whatever of any hinge rivets on the Tatler or silver replicas.The most important thing, that I keep trying to explain is that the "joint line" on the top hinge is in the wrong place on the Tatler and silver replicas.Please go back to the picture and compare. I don't think that this picture has had any lines drawn on.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

Here is a close up of the hinge differences that show that the Tatler/Silver replicas are different to the originals

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I have never heard about a wooden pattern but what is interesting and at the moment I can not find the paper work is that back in the 1980's when Ray McKee sent me the tracing of the Mirror Cuffs we were talking about methods and out of the blue he said what do you think about the theory of there being two Mirror Cuffs. I said why bother, but it would appear that perhaps he knew more than he was letting on. On the assumption he was by friendly with Sid Radner and also another top researcher who wrote quite a detailed account of the cuffs back in the 1980's perhaps the Tatler Cuffs were the original challenge cuffs?
Chris Gower

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Interesting Chris. Another what if.....what if the Tatler Cuffs were used in the challenge with a very simple lock mechanism, and the ones we know as the "real" ones were the ones that the London locksmiths examined before the challenge, and remarked what a complicated locking mechanism. The Tatler ones could have been switched before and after the challenge, and then conveniently "lost" forever. Just my ramblings, but nice to think about!

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

What is known of William Bennett, the Daily Mirror reporter, said to have set up the event at the Hippodrome and sourced and purchased (or borrowed) the handcuff. He was also the Press Agent for the London Coliseum in the same year (1904) and later for the Hippodrome. The Hippodrome was the offices of the Moss Empires Ltd which owned over 50 theatres. Coincidentally (or not)a William Bennett owned or ran 3 theatres in London and Coventry.
Paul Davies

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I wouldn't consider it out of the question that Houdini made or had made 2 Mirror cuffs. He was a collector so maybe he wanted to try a slight new design change or whatever. That's of course working off the assumption that Houdini was involved in the manufactur of the cuffs.

As Mike points out though, those are definately 2 different cuffs. So where's the other "original"?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I just thought of this, perhaps this cuff in these new photos was the first one and then somebody thought to even make it more secure and to keep prying eyes from examining it, they made a second model that required the longer key because the lock was more recessed into the tube.

Just a thought but I'm not as knowledgeable about locks as others.

Maybe the close up photo in these pictures was a supplied photo to the paper that was made of the "first model" so they just used that since they were pretty much the same.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

If the cuff in the Tatler article is a real photo, then it is of the Silver replica. As Mick points out the difference between the challenge cuff and the silver replica is the hinge.

I have heard that Henry Muhler of the Houdini Hall of Fame had and displayed wooden copies of the Mirror cuffs as he had heard threats of the cuff possibly being stolen.

Is there a date to this Tatler article?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

The Tatler article is dated 23 March 1904, 6 days later than the Challenge, and the publication would have taken some days to prepare for print. I have the article and I'm helping Mick with a few leads on the subject. If I'm not mistaken, this is the earliest closeup photo of the Mirror cuff. The Tatler cuff is open, the silver cuff is solid with the non-working hinge facing the same way. The Tatler photo has been contoured ie they painted around the cuff with white paint to remove the background prior to pasting it onto the artboard.

The question in my mind is, when was Houdini photographed with a 3rd, different cuff in his hands. Is it something he had made - a replica, or a duplicate?

Also, a newspaper advert prior to the challenge shows a drawing of the cuff with a short key, but I'm sure there would have been more than one key for it.

Lies and deception still has everyone guessing!!

Paul

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

Whatever version the cuff in the article is, replica or otherwise, it appears to have been "chewed" on the end portion of the locktube. Or perhaps even pried out and re-peened back on. If it were a drawing, I doubt it would include this damage. If it is a "repro" then why was it pried open?

Just my mind questioning what I see...

Cheers,
--Vince

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

As I stated above, this photograph has had the background removed. If it were photographed on a dark background it would be hard to see where the actual edge of the cuff is. Whether it is a junior retoucher or one with an unsteady hand and paintbrush is more the question.
Paul D

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

As "I" stated above, NOT ON THE PHOTO'S EDGE, (REPEAT) NOT ON THE PHOTO'S EDGE, but rather where the locktube meets the endcap appears to have a small crinkle as if it were pried apart at some time.

--Vince

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

This photo must show the original Mirror cuff and it may change the way we all think about this event. Lock was not as complicated are we all thought.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

what makes you say the lock is not complicated, it is very.

Have you seen it??

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

The key we all see in that famous photo taken that day on stage is short...I always thought it looked smaller than those very large keys and now we know why. Copperfield does not own the original mirror cuffs......incredible. What a historical curve ball this one photo has thrown us all 110 years after the fact. Implications here are blowing my mind.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

Not saying its not complicated.....Not as complicated. The long key implied a deeply nested lock mechanism potentially difficult to reach with picks. Shorter key possibly less so.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

So the silver replica cuffs were made to look like the original mirror cuffs. This is why they do not look exactly like what we all thought were the original cuffs. Huge question is now where are those original cuffs? Does anyone think Copperfield is aware of all this? I have another thought.......what if this was a real challenge and how ever he did it Houdini escaped from those original cuffs that day in 1904. Houdini would not own those cuffs...they would go back to the locksmith that made them. All Houdini would have after the escape is the silver replica. Perhaps Houdini had his own Mirror cuff made after the event while the true original cuffs went back in the possession of the person who made them. I think this is a plausible conclusion.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Hi Perry, the mechanism of sliders was right at the entrance of the keyhole, there are photos of this while the cuff was at the Houdini hall of fame Canada. The key only needed to go in about ¾ inch. The lock key was not necessary. It was just made a proportional correct size for the diameter and head shape.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Yes you are correct. There is no doubt however that the cuff and key in that new photo is not the Mirror cuffs we all have been calling the Mirror cuffs. In a challenge such as this would not the cuff be returned to the owner/builder of the cuff after the escape? If this were the case Houdini may have made his own version since all he would be left with was that non working replica. So perhaps the real Mirror cuff is locked away someplace in a Birmingham attic. If true can you imagine the value of this cuff if it were to be located?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article ... dateAscers

The above link is a 1909, version of the event which another website has a later one dated 1910 that mentions the name of the "Press Agent"- William Bennett. see next links. With no evidence to be found of a Scottish journalist named William Bennett, I am investigating a Theatrical Manager in London at the time with the same name.

http://harryhoudinicircumstantialeviden ... ge%204.pdf

http://harryhoudinicircumstantialevidence.com/?p=1871

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

Thanks for the article Paul. I am always suspicious of articles written years after the actual event. The statement near the end of the article that states "it was only a peculiar physical defect that enabled Houdini to defeat this beautiful mechanism" should produce some interesting thoughts from those with much more knowledge than I.

Ron

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

I think that article can be taken with a grain of salt. The blockbuster is that new photo of the real Mirror cuffs.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

We are naturally suspicious of anything to do with the Mirror Handcuff Challenge. It is our challenge to find any truth in what has been written or told.
The articles were republished in Australian newspapers 26 Feb 1909 and 27 April 1910. The questions for me are, when was it first published in Pearson's Weekly, is there more in the original article, and was there really a Scottish journalist named Will Bennett who masterminded the challenge. As far as the cuff goes, I agree with Perry, but I'll leave that to those with more knowledge of it.
Paul

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

Is there any way, with the number of people interested in this subject, to come up with a "timeline" for the cuffs we know as the "real" ones (Not the Tatler ones)?

I would like to know how they got into Houdini's possession after the challenge, and not go back to the locksmith who made them. (There is a theory on this thead that has Houdini getting his own set made, which I suppose is feasable)

In the story from the Australian newspaper, 1909-1919, Nathaniel Hart, the alleged maker,said tht he wouldn't sell them for "double their weight in gold"
so surely if he had loaned them to the newspaper man, as stated in the artice, he would want them back.

There are lots of pictures of the cuffs being in Bess's hands, so somehow she got them after Harry died.

How did Henry Mueller of the Houdini Hall of Fame get them? Was Sid Radner involved? He was a buddy of Hardeen, so maybe they came through him.

Then of course David Coppefrield became the new owner. Can we somehow put dates on any of these occasions?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

Unless I am completely missing something here the above photo is the original cuff....its the only up close photo I know of taken at the time of the escape. The conclusion has to be THIS is the cuff Houdini escaped from in 1904. This being the case the cuff we all thought was the original Mirror cuff is indeed not. These are two different handcuffs. This also explakns why the silver replica cuffs do not look like the cuff we thought was the mirror cuff....it quite logically looks like the true mirror cuff. The fact that the replj ca looks like the above pic is in my mind conclusive proof it was THE true original Mirror cuff. The question now is....what ever happened to the real Mirror handcuff? There is no photo I am aware of of Houdini holding either cuff.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

Whoa. Now that is very intriguing, Perry. And it makes sense.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

This is a fascinating thread.

I remember discussing this at length with the late David Deval. We shared the same view of the subject. We all know that none of us will never really know - but many of us know how Houdini worked. This is the view David and I shared:

1. Houdini had made three pairs of cuffs, ie., a set with a working Bramah locking mechanism, (ie., the set now owned by Mr C), a set with a standard "Darby" lock with a weak spring for rapping purposes, (ie, the "Tatler" set) and the non-functioning silver presentation set.

2. Houdini was cuffed with the Rapping/Tatler set (unknown to David and I at the time). Then followed the business with the pen knife/slashing the frock coat to maintain interest....THEN...asking for the cushion because his knees were hurting (?).
Ok. The ghost house was small, and most will agree that Houdini was probably in a kneeling position for a long time...David and I believed the cushion contained the Bramah lock set of cuffs (unlocked) which were exchanged for the set locked onto Houdini's wrists, which he rapped open and then hid in the cushion. At the suitable moment, he then appeared from his "ghost house" holding aloft the set of cuffs, and during the applause etc etc his assistants quietly removed the ghost house and loaded cushion from the stage area.

3. David and I believed the "Tatler" set (as I will now call them) were destroyed and the other set (Mr C's cuffs) were preserved for posterity, along with the silver set.

4. We thought that the cuffs (in the photo of Houdini on stage) would have the keyhole at the bottom, but that Harry moved his arms into the position shown for the pose. The rapping would not be heard, as the stage was covered in carpet (look again at the photo). I mentioned to David that the rapping may have damaged the lock tube a little. He smiled at me and said "But nobody would ever see those cuffs again!!"
......now take a look at the marks on the keyway end of the lock tube on the "Tatler" photo.

5. David and I both agreed this solution would be rejected by most, if not all, Houdini admirers. Everyone wants to believe that Houdini picked the super Bramah lock. In fact, that is what Houdini wanted...and this escape has to be understood against the backdrop of happenings in London in the years leading up to 1904...the Bramah lock in the shop window etc. David and I believed this escape was ten minutes work and one hour showmanship. Nice work Harry...we're still talking about it

Riley

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Ron

Hi Riley, There would not have to be three pair, still only two.

The cylinder of a lock is only a mechanism which needs to be set correctly before it will revolve.

So if you consider the actual key and cylinder as one, beyond it can be a darby mechanism.

The cylinder and key turn several times (just like a darby key) and the bolt is drawn in and out (just like a darby lock)

In both the Houdini séance cuff (which has a Bramah cylinder) and in the first replica (not the reproductions) I made. I incorporate my theory which was that the cuffs rapped open.

in regard to the Seance cuff, there is an article on Sid Radner escaping from them in seconds.

So if a Bramah lock within a handcuff (nested type or not) is supposed to be hard to open, why can Sid do it in seconds and Houdini over an hour.

I demonstrated my theory at the 2005 escape convention just prior to the Mirror handcuff lecture.

So what we know so far is that the Tatler cuff is likely to be the first Mirror cuff. The silver replica is a copy of it and the DC Mirror cuff is different.

Either there were three cuffs at the beginning (unlikely as one is built differently)
More likely that one was lost and another was built to replace it. some time been 1910 and 1972

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article ... by=dateAsc

Houdini revealed his secrets of escaping in this 1910 article. So a key to the mirror cuff was always available to him if he had one at all.
The method I like the most is the "tiny silver tube" stuck under his armpit with shoemakers wax (or maybe it was concealed somewhere even less glamorous) when escaping nude.
Paul

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I'm in love with your theory, Riley.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

With all due respect the double mirror cuff theory makes no sense. Why make two cuffs that don't look like one another? If indeed this was the way it went down why not make a duplicate of the cuff? Also why have a duplicate at all? All he needed was a duplicate KEY. Also is it not strange there is no photo of Houdini holding these cuffs? There is a photo of him holding the silver replica....where is the real cuff? Maybe...just maybe the real Mirror cuff went back to its builder after the escape and Houdini commissioned a Mirror cuff of his own some time after the fact. It's very strange no photo exists of him holding these original cuffs......it was one of his most famous escapes certainly.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

the article wasn't about Houdini secrets.

it says.

"It is interesting to learn how all this is done, and the following article, taken from an American magazine, is written by another America’s “handcuff kings”"

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

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Ron

Sorry, my bad.
It has been a while since I last read Handcuff Kings Confessions. It was not Houdini secrets but goes to show how the tricks in general were done.
That everyone claimed to be THE Handcuff King was one of the problems around that time.

I can imagine that in 1904 the handcuff escape was becoming Old Hat. Houdini did not need gaffed cuffs to escape from, any standard issue cuffs were easy.

Here is a conversation I have imagined (and you may laugh) between the Hippodrome Manager, Harry, and his friend Tom Froggatt the handcuff maker.

Manager- Harry, I need to get bums on seats, and your tricks have already been seen all around the country.
Harry - I can have made, a safe lock in a handcuff, by my friend Tom, an expert in his trade. You can have it checked by every locksmith in London for authenticity.
Tom- sure thing Harry, but keep my name out of it. When you escape it, it won't be good for my business.
Manager- OK lets get this campaign going with media coverage, including a challenge, a story of how it took 5 years to make and take your time escaping with some added drama.
Harry- Tom, it has to fit me exactly and be un-pickable, but I need some other way of opening it. A short key would be handy to conceal.


Paul

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Sounds good...but where are the cuffs? Why build a new Mirror cuff with two new keys if you have the original? Either somehow the original cuff was lost and Houdini had another made....even though it was not a true duplicate OR somewhere in Birmingham in some forgotten trunk sits the real Mirror cuff. What a find this would be! Who is going to tell DC he does not own the real Mirror cuff?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

This also makes the story of Houdini getting the key via Bess in a glass of water a possibility. The real key was certainly short enough for this is have occurred.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Paul, I am sure that this was thetype of the conversation that took place. I think the Mirror newspaper was also new at the time and this would have been a great stunt for all involved.

The cuff doesn't need to be built to be gaffed, it was can rapped by design.

It all comes down to the Tatler/Mirror cuff is the real one and DC's is a later copy.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Are you saying you know for a fact that the cuff was gaffes to allow it to be rapped open? How do you know this as fact?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

And where are the original cuffs? I highly doubt Houdini would destroy them. Why are there no photos of Houdini and these cuffs?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Perry, a darby cuff doesn't have to be gaffed for it to be rapped open. So if it can be rapped open, it can be called a legit cuff, and should not be called a gimmciked cuff.

If the Mirror was built along the same design of a darby, theorically it could be rapped, so therefore wouldn't be a gimmicked cuff.

In a conversation with DC he appeared to not know anything technically and always looked at his right hand man (CR) to come up with an answer. Both seemed not to really understand the questions about the cuffs and DC just said, "if you are every in Vegas you can check them out for yourself".

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

I don't think DC would have said "Check them out when you're in Vegas" From what I'm told, he is very protective of them, and they very rarely get taken out of the display case. I sent him a replica key (thru his manager) and asked him to compare it to the real thing. I was told that they will do that next time they open the cabinet. That was six months ago!

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Hi Mick, he did tell me that in 2009 when I met him. I know he is very protective and even though he said it, I didn't believe he would remeber let alone keep his word. He said it as if he gloating that he had it and he has the secret but frankly, I don't think he know much else that what he picks up from guys like us.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Can darbies really be rapped open? I had a pair years ago and you would need a sledgehammer to be able to budge that spring.

Do the experts on this cuff think it contained a spring like a Darby or was it more along the lines of a plug 8 In this regard?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Perry -- there is a famous photo of Houdini with the Mirror Cuffs.

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Hi
I know of only two photos of Houdini holding the Mirror Cuffs. The one that has just been posted with Houdini holding the cuffs on his left and another where he is holding them on his right. As far as I can ascertain both of these are him holding the Silver Replica cuffs as identified by the hinge location - unless he is holding the Tatler cuffs???
Chris

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

John
Yes I am very well familiar with this photo BUT it's always described as being him holding the silver replica not the real cuffs. Interesting that he is holding the center of the cuff so we cannot see if the cuff bows are connected or separate from the locking mechanism. The silver replicas being non working would be fused in that area while the real deal would not. I always assumed that this photo showed the silver replicas since it LOOKED like the replica. Now with the new photo showing that the replica and the original were indeed visually very similar it is harder to tell. I would say that the sheen on these cuffs look more like steel than silver so perhaps these are the cuffs he escaped from?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Perry-Looking at an enlargement of the above photo the bows are definitely not connected to the lock tube, if I understand your comment correctly.

This is turning out to be a most interesting post with a lot of new names expressing their thoughts. I there any way to get this post to Mr.C? He may have an interest or just smile.

Ron

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

How can you tell that from the photo? Houdini's fingers sre covering where a gap if present would be. Although if I had to bet based on that new photo we are probably looking at the original Mirror cuff and not the silver replica. Is there a date associated with that photo?

Here is an interesting eBay item with two photos one being the Mirror Cuff and key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Print-o ... 20edafbf3a

Ron

Another question......for those who know about the structure of the longer key does the shorter key appear to be similar in terms of it's construction? In terms of what you can make out regarding the cuts on both required to open The cuff.