asiancuffs
#1The chains looks so different. Are they manufactured at different stage?
The Experts Forum at Handcuffs.Org
Why these 2 sets of AHC L200 are different?
7 visible archived posts · 7 preserved total · topic ID 6580
CuffmanBelgium
#2Hi Howard,
My set looks like the one in the right picture and was one of the last ones they made. I suppose the one on the left is an earlier version.
Peter
My set looks like the one in the right picture and was one of the last ones they made. I suppose the one on the left is an earlier version.
Peter
SteveSantini
#3A logical reason to change to the larger links is that if a justice department is using a regular sized padlock to lock the belly chain, it's shackle may not fit through the small links.
The leg irons kept thier smaller links because this is how they were made as a stock item.
It is far easier to merely weld a set to the large connector chain than chance the entire linkage between the leg irons as well.
Steve Santini
The leg irons kept thier smaller links because this is how they were made as a stock item.
It is far easier to merely weld a set to the large connector chain than chance the entire linkage between the leg irons as well.
Steve Santini
kuffs
#4I gave this question some thought, but came up with nothing.
Yes Steve's explanation is so dead on correct that I didn't even think of the obvious.
mark
"Kuffs"
O--O
Yes Steve's explanation is so dead on correct that I didn't even think of the obvious.
mark
"Kuffs"
O--O
Phil_Ingram
#5While discussing the AHC cuffs, I have seen the handcuffs and leg irons made with two or three types of metal, or perhaps plating or alloy rather than metal. I have seen the cuffs in the various AHC models made with a more silvery looking finish (type of metal?) which shows scratches and rubs very easily, but can be polished out. Even polished, they have a matt finish. I have also seen the cuffs in a grey colored finish which does not show scratches and rubs very easily. They have a darker matt finish. And I've seen a couple of sets of cuffs that have both types of metal/finish (the bow is one type and the rest of the cuff is the other). Does anyone have an opinion as to why two different metals/alloys/finishes were used, apparently at the same time? Could they have just had parts made in two or more factories, then assembled in one or more factories? Steve, I think you had suggested this for another brand cuff. The cuffs with two different color finishes really look odd. But one set I auctioned off got me significantly more money than I expected.
And to add to the quandry, I have some old AHC and American Munition handcuffs and legirons that have a mirror like finish to them. The boxes for the AHC handcuffs have Speed Master on them, and the box for the American Munition legirons have Speed King on it. I have one more set of AHC in a box with no label on it, but 'Big 94' is handwritten on it and the cuffs are the N-200 model. As I said, they all have a mirror finish to them.
I guess what I'm asking is, why the three different finishes, especially the two newer ones? What's the history of these changes?
Best regards to all,
Phil
And to add to the quandry, I have some old AHC and American Munition handcuffs and legirons that have a mirror like finish to them. The boxes for the AHC handcuffs have Speed Master on them, and the box for the American Munition legirons have Speed King on it. I have one more set of AHC in a box with no label on it, but 'Big 94' is handwritten on it and the cuffs are the N-200 model. As I said, they all have a mirror finish to them.
I guess what I'm asking is, why the three different finishes, especially the two newer ones? What's the history of these changes?
Best regards to all,
Phil
SteveSantini
#6Plating issues on AHC restraints.
Hi,
A number of years back I was in close contact with Mr.Tobin over at AHC because he had asked me to try and develop a high security model handcuff for them.
To this end he sent me a large box filled with a variety of product for me to experiment on.
He told me that the cuffs he was sending were all rejects because the plating was not good.
Aparantly they had quite a few problems with thier plating and this is why various models show up with differing plating coats and finishes.
I still have one set of the leg irons where the surface metal plating has actually begun to oxidize and has a powdery white coat that comes off when they are handled.
Very odd indeed!
Steve Santini P.S. The issue of uneven plating and problems AHC was having with consistent plating is not just a theory I had. Rather, it was told to me directly from the president, Mr. Tobin. He never said why they were having difficulties with plating and finish, but only that they were.
Hi,
A number of years back I was in close contact with Mr.Tobin over at AHC because he had asked me to try and develop a high security model handcuff for them.
To this end he sent me a large box filled with a variety of product for me to experiment on.
He told me that the cuffs he was sending were all rejects because the plating was not good.
Aparantly they had quite a few problems with thier plating and this is why various models show up with differing plating coats and finishes.
I still have one set of the leg irons where the surface metal plating has actually begun to oxidize and has a powdery white coat that comes off when they are handled.
Very odd indeed!
Steve Santini P.S. The issue of uneven plating and problems AHC was having with consistent plating is not just a theory I had. Rather, it was told to me directly from the president, Mr. Tobin. He never said why they were having difficulties with plating and finish, but only that they were.
Phil_Ingram
#7Hi Steve,
Undoubtedly, Mr. Tobin could have found someone that had considerable knowledge about metals that could have helped him. There's plenty of metalurgists in this world. It just sticks in the back of my mind that the problem with the metals partially contributed to the downfall of AHC. But then it sure has made for some interesting collecting, hasn't it? They had some good designs, just not the knowledge of metal.
Phil
P.S. If they had stuck with the oldest mirror finish cuffs, they might still be around unless production costs for the nickel or chrome plating would have gotten too high. The old ones I have are really nice. The mirror finish L-100's and N-200's are the only ones I've ever seen on eBay, though I'm sure some of the collectors here must have some.
Undoubtedly, Mr. Tobin could have found someone that had considerable knowledge about metals that could have helped him. There's plenty of metalurgists in this world. It just sticks in the back of my mind that the problem with the metals partially contributed to the downfall of AHC. But then it sure has made for some interesting collecting, hasn't it? They had some good designs, just not the knowledge of metal.
Phil
P.S. If they had stuck with the oldest mirror finish cuffs, they might still be around unless production costs for the nickel or chrome plating would have gotten too high. The old ones I have are really nice. The mirror finish L-100's and N-200's are the only ones I've ever seen on eBay, though I'm sure some of the collectors here must have some.