Let's Make Helmets out of Handcuffs for the War Effort

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Interesting that the leg irons were described as 'old fashioned' in 1942.

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

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War is always a waste.

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Yet another reason why it's difficult to find a Tower Ball Chain, especially one in good working condition ........... -

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

A locksmith near me has 4 or 5 Tower ball and chains, just sitting on the floor of his shop. I was there yesterday. We wont sell any, i have tried for years. He is a cuff collector too. Ha a lot of deirable stuff. Great guy! One of the ball and chain sets he has is a Balco! I about fell over. The rest are Tower. One as a replacement chain, and he admits that. The rest appear to be legit. I have not been able to see his home collection yet, but i may one day.
-RK-

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Re: Let's Make Helmets out of Handcuffs for the War Effort

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

The photos of the handcuffs etc. that you posted look very interesting. Is the Locksmith in the Arizona area?

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

No, he is not, Chris Gower. He is located on the University of Illinois Campus in Champaign, IL. He is a good friend of mine. We get together once in a while and share our stories and finds from the previous months. He has been collecting a lot longer than I. I have yet to see his collection in its entirety. The bulk of it is in his basement, which according to him, is trashed and loaded with too much stuff to really be able to see much. I am still trying tho! He has a few items on display at his shop. A few ball and chains, some Bean and Tower stuff. A few modern cuffs and a huge Winchester padlock is what i have seen there, so far. He has a mountain of keys there! From padlocks to doors and some handcuff keys. I always go to him to find a particular key that I need at the time. If he doesnt have it, I usually come here. Another great wealth of information and a place to buy some items that are hard to find.

-RK-

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

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Richard,
Please invite him to this forum.
He seems to be a knowledgeable collector and maybe he has some info on a subject in which we can learn from.

It could be that he has an ER or McKenzie that we are trying to maintain a count of.

Hope to see you soon.


Mark
O--O

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Hey Mark. I have tried to talk him into it. He wont join. I guess he was a member here, some time ago. He had a falling out with a few members. I believe it was a few deals gone wrong or something to that nature? He said that he wont return. I do not know who the member(s) was/were that he had issues with? Not sure if he will tell me that or not? I guess he was fairly well know back in the day around here. He has bought items from Stan Willis's collection in the past as well as a few other "well known" guys. I will keep trying, but as of right now, he doesnt want to be brought back in. Sorry guys.
-RK-

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Rk is he amazing??

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

No, he is not. His name is Ron. He owns Ron's Campus Locksmith in Champaign, IL. I have never known his last name tho. I have always just known him as Ron.
-RK-

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

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That is a shame.
There have been quite a few undesirables here at the forum and so many people who had lots to contribute have been driven away.
I wish Ron would reconsider but I realize you can't force him to do so.
I don't recall a Ron being here (other than my friend with the same name)and I would certainly remember a fellow locksmith, but perhaps with enough time, he will come back.
He is certainly welcome.
Thanks for the heads up.

mark
O--O

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

FWIW: He could always drop by the forum from time to time as an "Anonymous" expert .........

My two cents!

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Agreed. On a side note: What is your email Mark Lyons? I have a question i have been wanting to ask you.
-RK-

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

when everyone has the right to be anon and excuses why they think they need to be and they know that just two going by the same name 'anonymous' corrupts the system of trust, why not??? Not point doing the right thing anymore after it's broken.

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Simple solution ---> Have the board moderator require a poster to log-on to a non-anonymous account before any posting(s) can be made ...... end-of-problem!

FWIW

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

that suggestion was made over ten years ago, nothing happened to fix it back then. Like gun laws, too late now. genii's out of the box.

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Hey,,,I remember Ron. I always liked him I used to sell him stuff,,,he was nice and down to earth and asked a lot of good questions

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Any chance we could see some photos of those ball & chains. Never knew the Balco even existed.

thanks in advance

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

When I am up at his shop again, I will snap a couple of pics. Hang tight. It may take a little while. Im going to be down for a bit. Upcoming eye surgery.
-RK-

In 1942, metal scrap drives were held to provide needed material for the war effort.
Helmets, ships, tanks, Jeeps, knives and multitudes of other items were made from scrap steel and other metals.
In 1943, copper reserves were getting low, so copper pennies began being made of steel so that more bullets could be manufactured.

Even the San Diego Sheriff Department pitched in to provide the war effort with needed scrap steel, as shown in this newspaper article from the Union in Oct. 1942.

Who knows, when buying an old ammo can, one could actually be buying a reincarnated Tower Ball and Chain.








mark
O--O

Click to expand...

DJ, My elderly parents have both had a number of eye surgeries over the past few years, and it's remarkable how quickly they've been able to get up and about! I also have another elderly friend who recently had cataract surgery on both eyes over a month's time. He missed, get this ........... one half day of work!

It's amazing what they can do now! Best of luck to you!