Hey Mark - Chinese Cuffs

Mark,

Did you look at the Chinese cuffs I got from that same gal last week?

The keyhole, top of the lockcase and the chain are decidedly different than the ones you just got, otherwise quite similar.

I don't know anything about either of them, do you? Other than they were for police use (imagine that).

My number was 7759889769.

Brad

Hi Brad,
Yes the cuffs are similar and I would surmise that they were manufactured about the same time.
They double steel chain is very unique in the one that I bought and is the reason that I wanted this model very much. I know of no other cuff that has double links like that.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1

The Chinese cuff that you have has brass links and from a security standpoint seems like a crazy idea. The inner workings must be about the same on both cuffs.

I am glad that the cybersnipers and Gordon skipped over this cuff. I am excited to get my hands on and in it!


mark
"Kuffs"
O--O

I forgot to write about another fact that pertains to your cuffs that may or may not apply to mine. There is some Chinese writing on your pair which reads "Gong an". This translates to the word "Police". Most of the citizens of China supposedly will not know the term as it is used very regionally in a small part of China. There are a few other models of cuffs similar to these which has the same markings. Interestingly, they also state that they were "made in China".

mark
"Kuffs"
O--O

Thanks for the info Mark. Any idea of the region? She kept saying Beijing.

Any idea about the era? They look like 1940-50 to me.

B

Hi. No I might have to trust what the seller states. I must admit that I know very little about Chinese geography or history. My gut feeling would be to date the cuffs to into the 50's or 60's though.
I hope Howard might be able to provide some of his expertise on the subject. I would like to nominate him to this forum. I do not believe he has been asked yet.
I missed noting the most obvious difference between Brad's cuff and my newest aquisition. Brad's has the standard star wheel/hole in the bow design where mine has the regular toothed ratchet design.

mark
"Kuffs"
O--O

These brass handcuffs were produced from the early 1950s after The People's Republic of China was founded by Mao. My judgement was the 2 words "Gong An", which means police or "public safety" for direct translation, was a term used by the PRC. The term used before 1949 was "Jian Cha" which directly mean "police". I have collected a few sets of brass handcuffs, some are chain linked with ratchet teeth and some like the "star" locking mechanism. I also have the hinge design.
Regarding the city / location of manufacturing, one of mine says SHENYANG which is located in the north east near Korea.

Hey Howard:
Isn't it time for you to find another good cuff or Leg iron to sell us ?
Stan

Interesting. Thanks for the good pics. I guess the upper set is what I got. Mark's seems to be some kind of mix between the two without the hinged link.

Brad

Hi. Here is another picture of the cuffs that I received recently. I have not seen any others like it. The bow has the standard ratchet teeth which are rather large and is similar to a Bockin Cuff. This pic is the same as the one in the eBay description. I would have liked to show the chain links as they are unique in that there are 6 steel links but are doubled so there is really 3 links between the two sides of the cuff.
I am not sure if the key is original to the cuffs as it is fairly crude but it is possible that it left the factory that way.
I was able to clean them up while leaving a nice patina on them.
I am glad that I was able to add them to the collection and might consider showing them as well as a dozen or more other Chinese cuffs in the 07 Annual. Unfortunately, my knowledge of them is not quite up to par. I will try to do some research in the meantime and would welcome the idea of co-writing the article with Howard or anyone who can assist me on the project

mark
"Kuffs"
O--O