The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

Bean Giant Makers Mark?

20 visible archived posts · 20 preserved total · topic ID 6078

djhalfdead 01 Apr 2016

I was recently able to grab a pair of what I believed to be Bean Giant Cuffs. They look legit in every way, except the maker's mark. The key even looks to be an original. The mark on the cuffs is pretty faded, so I included a picture of the mark on a sword that I found online. The mark on the back of the cuffs is identical. Does anyone have any further info on The Pettibone Bros Manufacturing Co. ? Were these made at this factory for Bean or are they a knockoff of the original?
-Richard Knip-

Anonymous 01 Apr 2016

this looks acid etched, maybe a sellers mark.

djhalfdead 01 Apr 2016

The actual mark on the cuffs looks to be etched like on smith and wesson, peerless, etc. I was just using the above example for reference as to the lettering and design of the logo. Hoping someone on here knows the back story of it?
-RK-

Anonymous 01 Apr 2016

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collectio ... AHTL_31379

Anonymous 01 Apr 2016

appears to be the same mark as on this sword. (blade near cross guard) LOT 3

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/49 ... rnal-sword

djhalfdead 01 Apr 2016

Thanks for the info. I did a quick Google search last night and ran across those sites. I seen the logo, I even found the patent # for Handcuffs made by that company. I couldnt find any pics or any info on the patent number. I hit a dead end. I am finally back home and can upload a few pics to show everyone what I have. I do think these are legit Bean Giants. Just unsure how the Pettibone Bros play into the lineage of them? Im wondering if the Pettibone Bros made a run of these for Bean?
-RK-

Unknown / guest 03 Apr 2016

Ok. Update: I kept searching for the answer to my Bean Giant Maker's Mark question. I think I found the answer on Youtube, of all places. Arioch does a segment on there that I found and watched all of the videos to. In the Bean Giant episode of "Off the Cuff with Arioch", he says that Capt. Edward Bean designed his cuffs, but did not manufacture them. Iver Johnson, Tower, etc... were the companies that actually made the cuffs from his designs. They were sold under the Bean name, in most cases. So, The Pettibone Bros. Manufacturing Company could very well have made these for Bean. I did find the patent for the "Pettibone Handcuffs" that I mentioned earlier. The mechanism looks to be very basic and rudimentary. Not sure if that cuff was ever made? It had a patent date of Aug 232, 1882. Patent # 263, 212. The Giants I have are legit. Does anyone else have a pair of them made by the same company?
-Richard Knip-

Unknown / guest 03 Apr 2016

Anonymous 03 Apr 2016

Hi Richard, I don't believe Pettibone ever made Bean cuffs (I await evidence that they did) can you please show an edge photo of hinge?

I also don't believe the pettibone on the patent is the pettibone of the company.

djhalfdead 03 Apr 2016

#10

djhalfdead 03 Apr 2016

#11

"James and William Pettibone operated the Pettibone Brothers Manufacturing Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. The brothers produced military and band uniforms, as well as uniforms for letter carriers and a variety of regalia items (swords, buttons etc.). William Pettibone appears to disappear from the company’s information in the early 20th century. James Pettibone held patents for a suitcase (patent #838,353, issued December 11, 1906) and handcuffs (patent #263,212, issued August 22, 1882), and listed himself as a “dressmaker” in the 1900 census."

as found on this page. http://postalmuseum.si.edu/rfdmarketing/part5a.html

It seems that the patent does belong to James, who is one of the brothers. I have also found mention of a catolog #103(?) that was for "police uniforms and equipment." Possibly handcuffs being part of the equipment? Its all fascinating, but it is giving very limited answers.
-RK-

Anonymous 03 Apr 2016

#12

Thanks for the photo of the hinge. Your bean handcuff was not made by Iver Johnson.
The handcuff patent seems to be a theatrical prop more than a restraint, what does the text say about it
.

lauher 03 Apr 2016

#13

If you search eBay and the web ti appears that Pettibone made uniforms, swords and other items for the Freemasons. The ceremonial handcuff patent fits well along side these items.

I am pretty confident that they had nothing to do with making Bean handcuffs, but I could easily believe that they could have sold them after adding their trademark.

Joe

djhalfdead 03 Apr 2016

#14

Thanks Joe! Than it all stems back to the Pettibone logo just being a seller's trademark? I can see that, I suppose. The text doesnt say anything about their patent for the handcuffs pictured. It just states that James ahd a patent issued for that design. I was doing the last search very late at night, while not being able to sleep. I had found a few references to Pettibone Bros police uniform, badges and equipment catalog. I couldnt find anything further on that. I did find their fireman catalog, but no police catalog. I am curious as to what the "equipment" portion of that publication may have included? I. also. was doubting of the handcuff patent made by James. It doesnt show a key being used to open them? I wasnt sure if this was a partial drawing of the mechanism or if this was the entire design?

The mention of the Iver Johnson name was not to infer that my cuffs were made by them. It was an example used to show that Bean's cuff designs were made by other companies for Bean. I knew that mine were not made by them. I know that this all gets confusing. A lot is lost in the translation of the text in the original post and the follow up posts on here. I apologize for that. I do appreciate your insight as to the lineage of these cuffs. Not much information is out there for this Pettibone Bros. Company. I had never heard of them until now.

-Richard Knip-

Paul Davies 03 Apr 2016

#15

The logo has been acid etched before the cuff was plated.

Anonymous 03 Apr 2016

#16

yes

Paul Davies 04 Apr 2016

#17

...therefore Pettibone had them in their raw state, applied or had someone apply their logo before plating them, which suggests a close tie with the manufacturer if they were not the manufacturer. yes?

Anonymous 04 Apr 2016

#18

yes, but doesn't mean that made them which was the supposition of the original posting.

djhalfdead 04 Apr 2016

#19

Thank you for the information. I really appreciate your insights on the subject. Kind of a cool back story there. Im just happy to have gotten a hold of one of my "holy grail" cuffs. Quite a simple lock mechanism, but well thought out in design. Key in hand and still cant pop them easily, if at all. Anywhere to get the extended keys these days? Or replacement keys so I can make an extended one?
-Richard Knip-

Anonymous 04 Apr 2016

#20

Make sure the inside of your cuff is lubricated, the key shows signs of wear.