Houdini Gaffed Darby

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Mike Griffen (EA) recent;y sold an Indian gaffed cuff similar to what you are speculating on, contact him for more details.

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Click to expand...

We could just be seeing the end cap of a pair of Providence Tool Co darbies which did not have peening around the edges of the end cap.

If this is so and the end cap is slightly raised they may have been gaffed for bridge jumping, (ala quick pull open release), and the end cap was not refastened flush.

Steve Santini

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Click to expand...

It could be that the original cap was drilled out and replaced in order to gaff the cuff. This is a method I used on a pair of new KUB Darbies. If the plug is not a precise fit, the bolt striking the plug will push it out after snapping the cuffs open several times.

Great photo! I don't recall seeing this one in any of the books Paul. Where is it from?

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Click to expand...

From the photo, the plug replacement looks pretty obvious, so it would be noticed by anyone familiar with handcuffs. I would have expected Houdini to insist that any gaff modification be very hard to detect. Maybe the cuffs have simply been repaired, not gaffed. A diversion of attention, maybe? On this subject, I have a pair of perfect-looking 1950-era Hiatt Derby cuffs that I suspect have had the springs weakened. They are easy to rap open. I am planning to put them on ebay, but if anyone is interested in buying them, send me an offer.

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Click to expand...

Holy cats! What a great photo of Bessie and the cuffs. I've never seen this. Any info where this comes from?

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Click to expand...

Page 153 of 'Houdini The Key' shows another taken of Bessie. Looks to be the same series.

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Click to expand...

Andrew, Houdini wouldn't have need anything to be precise, all he needed was something sure fire. don't buy into the myth, I am sure he rarey had any gaffed stuff inspected.

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Click to expand...

The Darby is not a Providence because Prov. Tool Co. cuffs don't bulge where the clevis attaches.

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Click to expand...

we'll never know.

Note in this photo, there is an English Darby attached to a Mirror Cuff.
Also note how the end cap of the darby is not flush with the end and does not have the patterned peining around it.
So the cap might either unscrew or just dislodge, allowing the bolt to be pushed up to unlock the cuff.
Paul

Click to expand...

I have a Pr of these Darbys for sale .
the Gaff is quite clever and I have not seen many like these over the yrs.
if interested $280.00 plus shipping .
info@michaelleemagic.com

Michael Lee