Tower keys

Hi i am about to recive a set of towers my first pair but they come without a key after looking about the keys seem to look like the standard universal cuff keys we use today. Would one of these keys open them?
Thanks

Tower cuffs cannot be opened with a standard handcuff key. A pic of your cuffs would help us out to determine which key you would need. Are they Tower Double Locks, Single Locks, Tower Bean Pattern, Tower "Pinkerton" Detective? All of these use different keys. But, none of them would cross reference to working with a standard key. They each had their unique key design. There are also Imitation Tower Cuffs that are sold, that you a completely different key. If we can help identify what you have, Ian McColl in Australia would be the outlet for the keys. His email is, imccoll@dcsi.net.au  
-Richard Knip-

Hi not sure if they a single or double as i am in no way a expert on them and as do not have them to hand yet cant look for stamp but here is a pic from the seller
Thanks.

there's also bottom key cuffs !
\
LK D~D

The pic you show is a Tower Double Lock Handcuff. That would be the most common. They show every sign of being real Towers and not imitations. By the way, getting an imitation Tower cuff, isnt all bad. They are worth about as much as a regular Tower, most times. Since they were made and sold about the same time as the originals and they were made in smaller numbers. Good collectable pieces, if you happen to find one. Get a hold of Ian, via the email in the post i left earlier. He can get you the key for these. Keep in mind, Tower cuffs can be finicky. Sometimes, you have to hand file the keys a bit to make them fit in your cuff. Usually doesnt take much, but it seems Tower had poor clearance control. Out of the 6 sets of double locks i have, only 2 share the same key. The other s are off by just a little bit. CCould be the key flag is just a little too long or thick. The inside of the keys barrel may have to be opened up a bit, to fit the post. You wont know until you get the actual key in hand. I can vouch for Ian's product. His keys are good. I have many in my collection.
-Richard Knip-

Hi i got them for a real good price so even if they are jammed or whaterver they are still worth it to me. Its the first pair for me so have no experience with them at all but good to know what to expect and i will sure be in contact with ian for a key once i have them. Good to know you believe them to be real i did but like say no expert and yeah have heard reps are almost as valued. By looking at the tower guide on here and in alexs book i thought they was dl by the way the key hole sat but was not sure if this was a defo sign.
Thanks

Tower Double lock handcuffs do not have one standard key either. There are multiple possible variations of the key for that type of handcuff. 
You can see a photo of the different key variations in the link below (on this web site).

viewtopic.php?f=261154&t=6655&p=41240&h ... eys#p41240

thenarsian wrote: Tower Double lock handcuffs do not have one standard key either. There are multiple possible variations of the key for that type of handcuff. 
You can see a photo of the different key variations in the link below (on this web site).

viewtopic.php?f=261154&t=6655&p=41240&h ... eys#p41240

This is certainly true, though all 4 pair of my Towers and most others that I’ve seen use the 1 0 1 configuration. Some of my Towers are DLs as in my profile image and some are Union Hardware Towers. This is convenient in that any of my short or long Tower keys work the locks interchangeably.

download/file.php?id=178

What’s interesting is that I had never even realized that there were other configurations until I compared photos of antique handcuff keys with another collector many years ago. 

Jason
 

Although the plating is very much worn off, it appears there is a nice patina replacing it! 
There are also a similar set with a single long link, made by union hardware.
I too would recommend the aforementioned Ian, as I've got a few keys from him, including for Towers, that work very well.

It's nice seeing a bit more activity in this forum. I'm just back from vacation myself, so I'll find time to post once again.

So how do you know what key you need do you start off with a and then just file a bit off to see if it works or is there a way of telling from the cuff themselves. Ots always good to see activity on this page its the only place i know for cuffs but always seems quiet compared to say a car forum. I think this may in part be due to the fact that i have seen many convo starters or questions shit down by trolls and people moaning they do not want to read something that has been covered before but i mean come on it takes 2 seconds to read the title and move on no need to comment about not wanting to read it as i feel we could defo do with some more convo on here its hardly an inconvenience anyway my 2 pence would be see more collections pics questions and general convo where alot cant be learnt from experts in the field.
Thanks for the replys

The best way to get the right informative is to follow up any leads that you get and email people directly. Forums are the worst place to get advice as every dick with an opinion likes to pipe up and say their piece. most replies are just foolish opinion or hearsay that they were told by a guy they met some where.

As to your question of which key to buy. If you are not sure, Start with the "A" key. If it does not open the lock, try marking the flag with ink and putting it back into the lock. When you try working the key again, the ward should leave a small mark in the ink where the ward is located. File there. If that does not work, either buy the set of keys or you will have to go to a locksmith. 

Sorry to bump an old post, but I’m also looking for a key for a set of tower double lock handcuffs.

They were my great grandfathers and he used them as a game warden / “game protector” in NY around 1916. My father has his pistol, billy club, and cuffs, but no key. I’d like to surprise him for Father’s Day with a key or at least a lead on a key. Thank you.

Check here on Facebook

Handcuffs Key Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/274871910110997/

Thank you for the Facebook link!

Good day, I recently found a set of cuffs just like yours without a key.  Someone told me to get a hold of a guy for a set of keys.  I wrote to Ian McColl at imccoll@dcsi.net.au and ordered two keys and they seem to work.  I just have to use some lubrification on them as they appear seized but otherwise they fit just right and they seem to be the right ones.
Good luck,
JP

I emailed Ian and I think he runs the Facebook page also. Super informative and helpful. I’ll be buying from him as well. Hopefully we have the same good luck. Cheers!

Yes, That is Ian's FB page. Just dont try to contact him through FB messenger. He doest use that. His direct Email is the best route.
-Richard Knip-

I have a key in the post was very easy and fast transaction brilliant communication. Whats this fb page got going on is it busy people trading lots of keys on offer and so on ? just wondering as i dont have fb so cant see the page at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Its mainly a page for people to seek out when they need keys for old cuffs. A way for Ian to get his contact info into the public's hands. He does answer questions on the page, usually. But, not through messenger.
-Richard Knip-

Dose anyone know of another place to get a replacement key. I have reached out to
lan McColl but he is no long doing business.

What most people do is find a key that comes close, then file, file, file and file it some more until it fits. Tower tolerances are very tight. It can take hours, buts it’s a sure way to obtain a working key. I’m sure it’s what most collectors do.