What was the first example of the modern cuff key form factor?

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

Peerless 1912 has to be the first modern handcuff as far as i know of. Not sure if they would of been the first to use to hollow key though on the later peerless model.

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

Peerless switched to a Barrel Key in 1930-1932 period.

That is basically the same standard key as used today.

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

Hello,

If I don't make mistakes, there are :

Peerless model 1 v2 (sorry, I don't own the very early model, unsymmetrical), end of 1910s ?, internal double lock, and model 2, after 1925 ?, push-pin double lock. With "plain" key.





Then an old version of -blued- Peerless mod 3 ? (before P-300), with now barrel key. 1930s or 1940s ? Pictures from flatbed scanner, thence the black background.

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

Thank you Tremex.

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

That's great! Thanks

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

Would a standard key actually fit those last ones shown on the pictures?

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

Good question...

But I have succeeded to grab the box of these cuffs !

So : Standard S&W key works, brand Peerless key works, no-name Peerless-shaped key works, old reinforced American Handcuff key works (including double locking). Old Shield Hiatts cuffs works bad, cheap short no-name universal key (Hiatts style ?) don't work.

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

I bet it fails because of the lack of blade height (from back of the shaft to tip of the key flag). That would be my guess. Smith & wesson is likely the tallest in your collection you listed.

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

The problem with the no-name key used here is the too large flag, a little more than Peerless key. The height is not a problem.

Some values : total height (including axis/shaft) x width [using a caliper]

SW key : 5,5 x 3,6 mm ( "," because of metric system)
Old Peerless key (these on the picture : 5,25 x 2,8
New Peerlees key (for P-700) : 5,2 x 3,5
No-name "hiatts" cuffs tested here : 5,2 x 3,8-4,2 (not squared)
Hiatts key (from a boxed Hiatts-2010) : 5,2 x < 4,2 (in fact the "no-name" is a real Hiatts key !)
Shield Hiatts key : 5,25 x 4 mm (slightly used ?)
American Handcuff key : 5,2 x 3,4
Original ASP key : 5,3 x 2,8

All the key have the same height, but not the same shape (and width). I hope I use correctly the height and width words.

Do you know or have pictures of what the first handcuff (or a really early example) that introduced what we think of today as the "standard handcuff key" form factor, the likes of which a modern key may well open or be so similar as to be a close variant as with modern keys there are differences where some brands keys fit in others and others not etc.

It would be really interesting to see the first "standard" handcuff and maybe some later (but still early) examples.

The correct way to measure a key with a bore or solid shaft is from it's center as the key rotates from a central axis. This will give a consistent datum point especail with keys in the which the wall thickness of the barrel(US) pipe(ENG) varies.