Wood's Chain Leg Irons

How rare are George Wood's Chain Leg Irons? I didn't even know that they existed until recently and I can't seem to find any information on them. Anything you guys could add would be appreciated.

Glenn

There is only one known.

Thanks for getting back to me Gordon. If there is only 1 known, there are now 2 known. Recently I thought that I was buying an extended chain handcuff, but it is definitely a leg iron. The chain is not only much much longer, but it is quite a bit thicker too. I weigh 210 pounds and they fit over my boots with room to spare. The holes in the lock cases are much bigger too, to accommodate the fatter chain. 

This is what they looked like when I bought them.


This is what they look like now next to my Woods Handcuffs after a little bit of cleaning.


And this is what they look like when I tried them on over my boots.


Glenn

Wow! Great score, Glenn! Congrats! That looks like the 2nd pair, now! Very cool.
-Richard Knip-

I knew that Wood's chain handcuffs were fairly rare; these seem to be almost one of a kind.  I'm assuming these were the pair recently auctioned off on eBay, and I too thought they were handcuffs. I wonder if the price would have continued rising had it been more clear. I did bid at one point, although this would be a departure from my collection which I am TRYING to convince myself is "complete" for the time being.
They look great, especially after you cleaned the surface rust off to show the patina underneath.  Thank you for sharing.

Thanks, Richard.

Ryan, They are the same ones from eBay. I almost didn't bid on them but I wanted a brass set to go with my aluminum cuffs. I was lucky that they were listed incorrectly because if they would have gone any higher I would have lost out on them. They turned into a very pleasant surprise. I just about choked when Gordon said that there was only one known. 

Glenn, congrats on your find.. and with an original key. I like what you have done with them, they look good. I have seen the handchains in aluminum, platted, and brass. John Bushy did research on Wood and talked to the surviving family. The smaller odd 
chain cuff, a long unknown, was a Wood creation. I don't believe that John finished the final draft of his research. What a shame,
what a loss.
                                   Gordon

Thanks, Gorden. I would have loved to be able to see whatever research John had on the topic, even incomplete. The only mention of the Wood leg iron that I was able to find was from John in this forum, but he only mentioned that Wood made both a handcuff and a leg iron, nothing else. He would have been the first person I would have called to ask about it if I could have. His passing was and is a huge loss to us all. 

When you mentioned the long unknown smaller odd chain cuff created by Wood, I'm not familiar with that one. Where can I find a photo, a diagram or any information about it?
Thanks again,
Glenn

Collectors usually call the odd one a Wood Jr. There is no patent for it. I do not know how to post a picture, other wise I would.
Perhaps another collector will step up and post a picture.
                     Gordon

I got the picture up, ha. The cuff is marked  PAT APLD FOR  but no patent papers have been found. It resembles the Wood chain handcuff, but is smaller and has a simpler locking device. It is made of brass and nickel plated. It locks and unlocks by turning a
bolt in the bottom of the case in and out that grabs the chain. As stated before John found that this was a Wood creation and his
first model.
                                       Gordon

Thanks for the photo Gorden.  I have seen those before. One of the guys brought one to last years Lancaster Lock Show. I've also seen the one on Stan's CD. I thought of it as the pre-patent model. I had never heard of it called a Wood Jr or the odd cuff before. I should have figured it out when you described it though. 

Lets see a picture of this.
Is it like the Burdick LI?  Same locks but longer chain?
I have a prepatent Woods but have never seen a LI version.


Thanks

Hey Mark,

This is the 2nd page of the post. If you go to the 1st page, pictures and a description of the differences were posted. I'd love to hear your opinion after looking at them.

Glenn

I've taken a few more pics to show the differences up close.

The Woods Handcuff and Leg Iron laid out with chains pulled to their lock cases next to a measuring tape.


A close up of the chain links side by side.


A close up of the lock cases side by side to show the larger bore through the leg iron's lock case and the larger chain.


On the leg iron, I counted a total of 64 links. Including the chain sections that go into the lock cases, the chain measures over 35 inches altogether and 31 inches in between the lock cases. 
On the handcuff, I counted a total of  41 links. Including the chain sections that go into the lock cases, the chain measures over 20 inches altogether and 16&3/4 inches in between the lock cases. 

Glenn

Wow,  thanks for posting comparison pics.
I never heard about this and I WOOD have been skeptical about this as a talented metal worker could have just added extra links to a handcuff and offer it as a rare leg iron.  The extra sized chain and body sure does add to the credibility of this item.
I believe you have a super rare item and an excellent addition to your collection.
Very much a pleasure learning about this incredible find!

Thanks Mark,
I was just as surprised as you. I had no idea it was a leg iron until I opened the box. I'll bring it with me to the Lancaster Lock Show in July. Hope You can make it out East again this summer.
Glenn

I have a third set. They don’t work currently, but I’m trying to get them going.

Now that Glenn opened the box it will be interesting to see how many surface. Never going to be a whole lot I suspect.

Brad

Brad, is that the set that was listed on eBay a few weeks ago?

Yeah. He and I negotiated a price. I bought them thinking they probably would never work and would just be an example in my collection. So far that has proven true.

I guess they’ll just sit comfortably next to my non working Adams leg irons. Oh well...

Congrats on a nice pickup. It looked like there was only a key post missing and that they could be cleaned up / repaired. Was there anything else wrong with them that I couldn't see?

 

Well, the post I can make and install. However, so far, no key will operate either. They are soaking and I’ve been a little lackadaisical, but will seriously try to get them going soon. Will post results.

Thanks. Congrats to you too

WOODS CHAIN LEG IRONS PAIR #3

Well after all these months I finally got these going as far as I think I can.

The side that still had the stud (post) eventually wiggled a little bit then broke loose and now work quite well...well, quite well for Woods.

The side missing the stud never did open, er unlock, I guess Woods don’t open. I can feel life in it but it just won’t budge. Just know some day I’ll put a key in it and it will work. I did replace the stud and it looks better.

I’ll send a pic to Joe to post (thanks again, Joe)

Brad

Joe, can’t find your email address. Could you send it to me?

Thanks,
Brad

My email is lauher@handcuffs.org,  but anyone can post a picture here directly.  Use the full editor option and you will see an option to add attachments at the bottom.

Woods leg irons

Woods li

Wow! Two beautiful pieces! Great find!
-Richard Knip-

BradD1  Thanks for the pictures Keep at restoring the leg irons.It will be worth the effort and will put another great piece in the world of Leg Irons.