Large Handcuff Collection

Hello,

Below is a link to pictures of my grandfather's collection...that are hopefully being handed down to me. My question is, besides posting on here what's the best way to determine names, patent dates and value for cuffs? I'm looking to asset tag each handcuff that I receive and creating a spreadsheet/website with all the information.. I'd also like to print out their patents and store the actual patent with each one. 

Warning: There is over 150 photos (these were pulled from his hard drive, so there may be some duplicates, anything on a pink rug is a photo he took.  

These aren't his only cuffs, just the ones that were easily photographed I believe. Another link to a few other ones. 

You have a very nice collection including some very rare items.  Identification will take you some time, but it is a fun thing to do.
Start by comparing things to cuffs in the gallery.  http://handcuffs.org/g/
If you get stuck, just post a question with the appropriate picture here and we will all help you out.

Yossie Silverman also has a great collection and has the web's original handcuff site: https://www.blacksteel.com/hcs/
He also has a list of patents to help you out.

Good luck. Have fun
Joe

Hi Mike.  I might be able to help you with the collection.  Could you email me at ronspitz@msn.com

Hi Mike,

As stated before, a very nice collection. There are also some standard cuffs with unusual chains. I also can see several of the cuffs don't have the original keys.

You also can check my collection for reference as I have most of them. www.holstcollection.com

However, Ron has offered to help you and he is very knowledgeable.

Good luck!

Lars

I AM UNABLE TO SEE THE COLLECTION all I get is a ZOINKS image can u post a url link?

LK D~D wrote: I AM UNABLE TO SEE THE COLLECTION all I get is a ZOINKS image can u post a url link?

The forum automatically changes Imgur links to a gallary and something is wrong with that app and it's giving that error. Here's a direct link to the gallery. - https://bit.ly/2KhjPii

Also, thanks everyone for the offer for help. I don't currently own this collection just yet (no one else in the family has any interest in them). Just trying to learn more about the cuffs as I get them. I currently have the spiked  clog, some Rankins, and Burdick leg irons and handcuffs. When I have some time I'm going to stand up a website cataloging everything. 

THANK YOU  for the link (WOW) what a nice collection and in great shape, you are very lucky, take care of them and do not try to clean are  buff other then with small amount of oil,.I use gun oil and a soft clean rag !  If you are in USA and can call me via cell phone (to save money) and need help with identification of any, or have questions about any send me email and I will send you my phone number once u have them! here is my email


lkhandcuffs@gmail.com

LK D~D

Hello Mike:

A fantastic collection!

I would also be very interested to one day learn about the "MAN behind the handcuffs".....

...such as, was your Grandfather a Magician/Escape Artist/Performer?...or involved in either the Law Enforcement and/or Locksmithing professions? 

This is the BEST website, along with the BEST people ---to aid in your research & identifications.

J Fox wrote: Hello Mike:

A fantastic collection!

I would also be very interested to one day learn about the "MAN behind the handcuffs".....

...such as, was your Grandfather a Magician/Escape Artist/Performer?...or involved in either the Law Enforcement and/or Locksmithing professions? 

This is the BEST website, along with the BEST people ---to aid in your research & identifications.

Click to expand...

Great question! My grandfather is a Korea war veteran, retired Biology/high school football coach and turns 90 in August. He's just a collector, I've never really asked him how he got into collecting, I think it's just a thing people used to do back then? He also collects stamps and beer stuff - Good question though I'm going to ask him next time I'm over. I'm 1 of 9 grandchildren and no one else sees the value in the cuffs...although I have no need/intention to sell them if I do end up with the full collection. I'm sure some of you know his eBay tag  (galjunior). I've been meaning to catalog his collection for a long time...and I'm hoping to start this summer. I think I first got interested in the handcuffs when I helped him sell a few pairs on eBay all the way back in 2002 (I was in 6th grade I think but was able to do basic HTML coding at the time). After that I saw the long-term value in the cuffs...fast forward 15 years and no one else is interested in them. 

I'm wondering if anyone has a suggested safe to store these? I've been looking at some gun ones, but I'm wondering if there is any other suggestions.

Does anyone know the source of the McKenzie Mitts photo? They were taken on a pink rug just like all his other photos so I thought he had a pair but I guess he doesn't. Google image search doesn't come up with any thing..

Gun safes typically have very thin sides so they can be peeled open like a can of tuna as indicated by this last one I had to open a year or so ago ( sorry this pic is not so great).  The cheaper the safe, the prone it is to this type of attack.  DO NOT buy a safe at Home Depot, Costco, K-Mart, WalMart or other big box store.  You get what you pay for.

Look around on Craig's list for a used TL-15 or TL-30 rated safe in your area.  These are not cheap but they are heavy and are good for use in jewelry stores.  You may find a bargain out there.  Moving it will be best left to a good safe mover.  They weight a minimum of 750 pounds and you may even want to bolt it down to the floor IF they have the hole punched at the bottom.
 Figure about $800 to 1,500 for a nice used one.  Most of them will come with self brackets so you can make your own shelves out of melamine.  

ALWAYS use desiccant packets or a golden rod dehumidifier to rid the interior of humidity which will certainly be trapped within.

Contact a reliable safe company where you live.  They will be more expensive than the big box store but it is worth every penny of it.

Holy crap!!! That safe is a piece of junk! Shame on whoever sold that thing

...as per the seller's sticker, in the picture ("Safe and Vault Masters") it was from 6022 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad CA

Hey Mark, since your lock shop is practically next door (at 6020 Paseo Del Norte) you should march that tuna can right over and get your money back

  Happy collecting  ♀---♀ 

You are bashing the integrity of an Amsec safe?
Amsec is pretty much the Cadillac of safes and the construction is similar to most safes which earned the "B" rating. 
Indeed Safe and Vault Masters sold that safe to their customer several years ago (more than 10).
I acquired Safe and Vault Masters in 2009 and ported over the phone numbers after the owner filed bankruptcy.

After the burglary, the customer noticed the sticker, as did you, and called me to open the safe to remove the guns that fortunately fell to the bottom and became out of reach of the hole.  3 or 4 guns were recovered along with a huge amount of ammo. 17 guns were lost.

The previous owner of Safe and Vault Masters was proud to carry Amsec and I am honored to be a dealer and service center for them as well.
 If I happen to run into Pat, the old owner, I will let him know that you disprove of the sale of this safe he made to the customer.
 Maybe he will contact you and you two can get together to formulate a plan to fix the world.