S&W Handcuff Mfg. Date and Model

I have a few, older S&W Model 90s with 5 digit serial numbers and wonder if there is any info on number ranges and identifying other old, similar style cuffs

I have a pair of S&W handcuffs Mod#300 ser# 61048 last # 3 or 6

I can only give an idea of a range of when your cuffs were made. The Smith & Wesson Model 300 was released after the failure of the Model 200 and Model 210, product line. That would put the release date for the model 300 in late 1991. They continued to make the Model 300 up through 2010. In 2011 S&W released the new and improved Model 300-1, which is still sold today. The change made between the Model 300 and the Model 300-1 is that S&W used to use a brazing process to join the two halves of the cuffs together. On the Model 300-1, they decided to change to using raised head rivets to hold the cuffs together, which was a stronger method to join the cuffs. The company Peerless has done an amazing job of recording their serial number with dates the cuff was made and often to whom the cuff was sold to. To check the age of a Peerless cuff, you contact Peerless, via email and give them the info from your cuff and they will message back with info about that cuff. Sadly, S&W, did not adopt that practice. Short of someone having actual, dated, sheets with serial numbers from S&W, there isnt a way to say when a S&W cuff would have been made. Only to give a range of possible dates.

David Teeters is a member on the forums, here. He has also written two books on S&W cuffs and Peerless cuffs. He may be able o shed some more light on the subject, as he has done extensive research into the two companies. He also has a lot of original paperwork from the companies, some of which is shown in his books. In fact, the info I have shared above, came from the S&W book he wrote. Thanks Dave!
-Richard Knip-

Smith & Wesson did not keep records of handcuff serial numbers like the Peerless Handcuff Company did. There are ranges of dates manufactured that you can place a particular model in. The only model that is close to dating (month & year), is the non-catalogued Military Model 95, and you would need to have the original box in order to achieve that. It is a plain brown 2-piece box with the month & year printed on it. I have the prototype submitted with the box dated Nov. 1963, a nickel plated 95 with the box dated March 1970 and a blued 95 with the box dated August 1972.

Rtchurchill, regarding the S&W Model 300,
As Richard stated, the Model 300 Hinged Handcuff followed the model 200 & 210 Hinged handcuff that was a design failure and only lasted about one year. The first product price list that I have that listed the Hinged Model 200 & 210 is dated March 19, 1990. The last last product price list I have for the model 200 & 210 is February 1, 1991. By May 6, 1991, they were no longer listed.
On April 20, 1992 James B. Kruger & John T. Fitzpatrick applied for a patent for Hinged Handcuffs (drawings representative of the Model 300) and assigned the patent to Smith & Wesson Corporation, Springfield, Mass. and on April 27, 1993, Patent No. 5,205,142 was granted. Although this patent was not submitted until April 20, 1992, the first product price list I have offering the Model 300 Hinged Handcuffs is dated November 20, 1991, 5 months prior to the patent application being filed. The Model 300 continued through 2010. In 2011 the Model 300-1 was introduced.
I hope this helps,
Dave 

C21221 cuffs need a date they were made

Eugene wrote: ↑

Sep 09, 2022

C21221 cuffs need a date they were made

Not sure what that number is? Maybe a serial number? Would you please post a picture of the cuffs you are trying to get a date for? a Good picture of the front and a good picture of the back of the cuffs will help us to help you.
-Richard Knip-

allengator56 wrote: ↑

Sep 29, 2018

I have a few, older S&W Model 90s with 5 digit serial numbers and wonder if there is any info on number ranges and identifying other old, similar style cuffs

I have a pair too and would like to know serial number 76863

swmymancave wrote: ↑

Aug 03, 2023

allengator56 wrote: ↑

Sep 29, 2018

I have a few, older S&W Model 90s with 5 digit serial numbers and wonder if there is any info on number ranges and identifying other old, similar style cuffs

I have a pair too and would like to know serial number 76863

Read the rest of this thread. Its stated above that S&W did not record or keep any records of their serial numbers and when they were made. Unfortunately, unless it is a limited run cuff, like the Model 200 or the Model 210, we cannot give anything more than a broad range of dates. We would need a picture, front and back of the cuffs you are looking to identify. We could at least tell you the model number of the cuff you have and maybe narrow down the date a bit.
-Richard Knip-

I have m-300 serial number 254781 and was wondering if had any information about it

Thank you for your response. I actually found the dates of manufacture based upon what the cuffs look like, place of manufacture, and when Peerless had Smith & Wesson make handcuffs for them.

Anyone know anything about these Pre S stamp center detent stainless steel smith & wesson cuffs ?

Alan Baldino which number is the serial #

Serial is 141515

Guest wrote: ↑

Jan 30, 2024

Alan Baldino which number is the serial #

141515 is the serial