Tower Imitations - probably from Finland

As the Tower/Union /Foth Cuffs topic was brought up, I have to show you a set I acquired this week in a local Swedish auction.

These are Tower Imitations which I believe are of Finnish origin. The Finns made several copies of known cuffs. You might have seen the Tower Bottom Key imitations from an older thread.http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/m ... 195938603/

I also believe the Kakola is a Schwertfeger Imitation. The interesting thing about Finnish "imitations" is that they are usually much better than the originals. The level of the Finnish craftsmanship and the metal quality is top notch. These are Tower Double Lock Imitations but they only single lock. There is also no left and right cuff, both are the same. There is also a a circle around the key hole.

However, the craftsmanship to these cuffs is superior to the standard Tower cuffs as they are forged and not casted. Another difference to the original Towers is the hinge construction, see photo. The number "12" is stamped to one hinge, the other side has a similar stamping but number "10". -Almost like the Bean Cobb stampings with two different numbers at each hinge. Another difference is that the lock house is considerably thicker compared to the original Towers. They are also much heavier; these are 570 gram compared to the Towers at about 450 gram.

The connection between the cuffs is at least say odd and very old fashioned but it seem to be the original.

As always with Finnish restraints, the quality is excellent and the cuffs have strong springs.

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Great find Lars. Thanks for sharing.

Damon

As the Tower/Union /Foth Cuffs topic was brought up, I have to show you a set I acquired this week in a local Swedish auction.

These are Tower Imitations which I believe are of Finnish origin. The Finns made several copies of known cuffs. You might have seen the Tower Bottom Key imitations from an older thread.http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/m ... 195938603/

I also believe the Kakola is a Schwertfeger Imitation. The interesting thing about Finnish "imitations" is that they are usually much better than the originals. The level of the Finnish craftsmanship and the metal quality is top notch. These are Tower Double Lock Imitations but they only single lock. There is also no left and right cuff, both are the same. There is also a a circle around the key hole.

However, the craftsmanship to these cuffs is superior to the standard Tower cuffs as they are forged and not casted. Another difference to the original Towers is the hinge construction, see photo. The number "12" is stamped to one hinge, the other side has a similar stamping but number "10". -Almost like the Bean Cobb stampings with two different numbers at each hinge. Another difference is that the lock house is considerably thicker compared to the original Towers. They are also much heavier; these are 570 gram compared to the Towers at about 450 gram.

The connection between the cuffs is at least say odd and very old fashioned but it seem to be the original.

As always with Finnish restraints, the quality is excellent and the cuffs have strong springs.

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Thank you Damon!

It's always a great pleasure to add a cuff to the Finnish section.

Lars

As the Tower/Union /Foth Cuffs topic was brought up, I have to show you a set I acquired this week in a local Swedish auction.

These are Tower Imitations which I believe are of Finnish origin. The Finns made several copies of known cuffs. You might have seen the Tower Bottom Key imitations from an older thread.http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/m ... 195938603/

I also believe the Kakola is a Schwertfeger Imitation. The interesting thing about Finnish "imitations" is that they are usually much better than the originals. The level of the Finnish craftsmanship and the metal quality is top notch. These are Tower Double Lock Imitations but they only single lock. There is also no left and right cuff, both are the same. There is also a a circle around the key hole.

However, the craftsmanship to these cuffs is superior to the standard Tower cuffs as they are forged and not casted. Another difference to the original Towers is the hinge construction, see photo. The number "12" is stamped to one hinge, the other side has a similar stamping but number "10". -Almost like the Bean Cobb stampings with two different numbers at each hinge. Another difference is that the lock house is considerably thicker compared to the original Towers. They are also much heavier; these are 570 gram compared to the Towers at about 450 gram.

The connection between the cuffs is at least say odd and very old fashioned but it seem to be the original.

As always with Finnish restraints, the quality is excellent and the cuffs have strong springs.

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Hello Lars,

another great find!

Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

Best regards,
Guenter

As the Tower/Union /Foth Cuffs topic was brought up, I have to show you a set I acquired this week in a local Swedish auction.

These are Tower Imitations which I believe are of Finnish origin. The Finns made several copies of known cuffs. You might have seen the Tower Bottom Key imitations from an older thread.http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/m ... 195938603/

I also believe the Kakola is a Schwertfeger Imitation. The interesting thing about Finnish "imitations" is that they are usually much better than the originals. The level of the Finnish craftsmanship and the metal quality is top notch. These are Tower Double Lock Imitations but they only single lock. There is also no left and right cuff, both are the same. There is also a a circle around the key hole.

However, the craftsmanship to these cuffs is superior to the standard Tower cuffs as they are forged and not casted. Another difference to the original Towers is the hinge construction, see photo. The number "12" is stamped to one hinge, the other side has a similar stamping but number "10". -Almost like the Bean Cobb stampings with two different numbers at each hinge. Another difference is that the lock house is considerably thicker compared to the original Towers. They are also much heavier; these are 570 gram compared to the Towers at about 450 gram.

The connection between the cuffs is at least say odd and very old fashioned but it seem to be the original.

As always with Finnish restraints, the quality is excellent and the cuffs have strong springs.

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

As imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I think that John J. Tower would be proud of your Finish handcuffs.

Best regards, and thanks for sharing!
Jason

As the Tower/Union /Foth Cuffs topic was brought up, I have to show you a set I acquired this week in a local Swedish auction.

These are Tower Imitations which I believe are of Finnish origin. The Finns made several copies of known cuffs. You might have seen the Tower Bottom Key imitations from an older thread.http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/m ... 195938603/

I also believe the Kakola is a Schwertfeger Imitation. The interesting thing about Finnish "imitations" is that they are usually much better than the originals. The level of the Finnish craftsmanship and the metal quality is top notch. These are Tower Double Lock Imitations but they only single lock. There is also no left and right cuff, both are the same. There is also a a circle around the key hole.

However, the craftsmanship to these cuffs is superior to the standard Tower cuffs as they are forged and not casted. Another difference to the original Towers is the hinge construction, see photo. The number "12" is stamped to one hinge, the other side has a similar stamping but number "10". -Almost like the Bean Cobb stampings with two different numbers at each hinge. Another difference is that the lock house is considerably thicker compared to the original Towers. They are also much heavier; these are 570 gram compared to the Towers at about 450 gram.

The connection between the cuffs is at least say odd and very old fashioned but it seem to be the original.

As always with Finnish restraints, the quality is excellent and the cuffs have strong springs.

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Thank you Guenter and Jason!

It's always fun to show some oddities as they turn up.

Lars