Help with handcuffs

I am looking for some help on the value of my fathers handcuffs he inherited a few years ago.

The handcuffs belonged to my Great Great Grandfather - Inspector John Spratling of the London Metropolitan Police. For a little bit of history aparently he served on the Jack the Ripper case and was the initial investigative officer for the Mary Anne Nichols murder. He also had some kind of dealings with the Buffalo Bill Wild West show as he was a crack shot, my Grandfather even mentioned he may have know Houdini, but I certainly couldn't be sure of that fact.

Anyway, the handcuffs key has been lost but apparently my dad (72 years old) knows how to get out of them like Houdini without the key (My father once belonged to the Magic Circle Magicians Club), but I haven't seen him do it, so until I try I can't confirm.

I have no idea what kind of value or where to go for advice, so I was helping someone hear might be able to help.

Many thanks for your time.

Andrew Spratling
Hampshire, England.

Hi Andy, a photo would help. I am guessing they are 'darby' cuffs due to your location. depending on model, type $100 to $150.00

I am looking for some help on the value of my fathers handcuffs he inherited a few years ago.

The handcuffs belonged to my Great Great Grandfather - Inspector John Spratling of the London Metropolitan Police. For a little bit of history aparently he served on the Jack the Ripper case and was the initial investigative officer for the Mary Anne Nichols murder. He also had some kind of dealings with the Buffalo Bill Wild West show as he was a crack shot, my Grandfather even mentioned he may have know Houdini, but I certainly couldn't be sure of that fact.

Anyway, the handcuffs key has been lost but apparently my dad (72 years old) knows how to get out of them like Houdini without the key (My father once belonged to the Magic Circle Magicians Club), but I haven't seen him do it, so until I try I can't confirm.

I have no idea what kind of value or where to go for advice, so I was helping someone hear might be able to help.

Many thanks for your time.

Andrew Spratling
Hampshire, England.

Click to expand...

Anonymous - Many thanks I will ask my father to take a picture so I can put it up on here.

I am looking for some help on the value of my fathers handcuffs he inherited a few years ago.

The handcuffs belonged to my Great Great Grandfather - Inspector John Spratling of the London Metropolitan Police. For a little bit of history aparently he served on the Jack the Ripper case and was the initial investigative officer for the Mary Anne Nichols murder. He also had some kind of dealings with the Buffalo Bill Wild West show as he was a crack shot, my Grandfather even mentioned he may have know Houdini, but I certainly couldn't be sure of that fact.

Anyway, the handcuffs key has been lost but apparently my dad (72 years old) knows how to get out of them like Houdini without the key (My father once belonged to the Magic Circle Magicians Club), but I haven't seen him do it, so until I try I can't confirm.

I have no idea what kind of value or where to go for advice, so I was helping someone hear might be able to help.

Many thanks for your time.

Andrew Spratling
Hampshire, England.

Click to expand...

Have you check out other darby cuff pictured on this forum? and do you know if it looks similar?

I am looking for some help on the value of my fathers handcuffs he inherited a few years ago.

The handcuffs belonged to my Great Great Grandfather - Inspector John Spratling of the London Metropolitan Police. For a little bit of history aparently he served on the Jack the Ripper case and was the initial investigative officer for the Mary Anne Nichols murder. He also had some kind of dealings with the Buffalo Bill Wild West show as he was a crack shot, my Grandfather even mentioned he may have know Houdini, but I certainly couldn't be sure of that fact.

Anyway, the handcuffs key has been lost but apparently my dad (72 years old) knows how to get out of them like Houdini without the key (My father once belonged to the Magic Circle Magicians Club), but I haven't seen him do it, so until I try I can't confirm.

I have no idea what kind of value or where to go for advice, so I was helping someone hear might be able to help.

Many thanks for your time.

Andrew Spratling
Hampshire, England.

Click to expand...

I'll put up a picture in the next couple of days if my mother can work her Ipad and attach it! But I just had a look at the gallery and I would definitely say a Darby, I briefly looked at then last weekend and I think they are made from Iron? There is a serial no. but I think is was very hard if not impossible to read.

Thanks for all your help by the way.