Finnish Tower imitations

Finnish handcuffs are odd and rare and among my absolute favorites. I recently acquired another set to the collection. 

These are Finnish made Tower imitations. In opposite to the original Towers, these are not casted but machined. They are also much heavier (650 gram). There were unfortunately no original key with them but I managed to make one myself. 

My two other Finnish Tower imitations are both single locking and I also expected this set to be so. Therefore I was amazed when they turned out to be double locking.

One other difference to the original Towers is that this set has a left and a right hand side. These cuffs are lockable in four positions only, compared to the original Tower's nine lock positions.

There are three stampings on them; “Kakola”, “1920” and the number “8”.
Kakola was an infamous prison in Åbo, Finland (1853 - 2007). 1920 is likely the year of manufacture. I have unfortunately no information about the maker of these cuffs.

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Very nice! 

Fantastic find Lars. Very rare cuffs indeed. Cheers, Steve

You have done it again Lars.  Great addition to a fantastic collection.

Ron

Does this fall under "imitation is the greatest form of flattery?" 

The Towers design is really an impressive one. 

Very nice patina on the topmost set.

Thank you guys!
 
The Finns invented the H&R Super Cuffs model 123. The prototype is the Konepaja Voima, patented in Helsinki in 1928.

I know of several Finnish imitations of the Tower cuffs, not only the three I have myself. These imitations are all different and probably made in very small numbers
as they rarely surface.
According to appearance, they seem to be more or less hand made. My theory is that they also made an imitation of the German Schwertfeger chain cuffs.
The imitation is what we call the "Kakola" cuffs (not to be confused by the Kakola stamped Tower imitations).

In all cases, the Finnish imitations are always more sturdy and heavier than the originals. In my opinion, the quality of manufacture is by far better than the originals.
Much more handcrafted and machined and welded instead of casted. I have tried to research these handcuffs through my sources in Finland but there is unfortunately no
available information about makers and time of manufacture. The Tower imitations shown here are the only ones I've ever seen with a stamping of a year.
 
Lars

As the subject of imitations came up. Here are photos of the German Schwertfeger handcuffs, the Finnish "Kakola and a comparison between them (Schwertfeger on top). The German cuffs are for sure
earlier (stamped "82") and also much lighter but the relationship seems very clear.
The last photo is a selection of my Finnish cuffs.
 
 
Lars

Awesome Lars!!! Very impressive collection
Fred 

Thanks Fred!

I agree with Fred, a totally awesome collection. And beautifully presented.

I agree with Joe, who agrees with Fred, who agrees that this collection is impressive!
Nice!
Mark O--O

Thanks Joe!

Thanks Mark

I'm sorry.. I cant resist.. cos I have a really messed up sense of humor....
I agree with Mark who agreed with Joe, who agreed with Fred who agreed this collection is impressive :)

Beautiful handschellen, Lars!

As an ardent fan of John J. Tower cuffs, I agree with everyone that agrees with anyone that loves these Finnish quality reproductions and your most impressive Kakola collection.

Two thumbcuffs up!

Jason
 
 

Thank you Jason,

I guess I'm a litle "obcessed" by these Finnsh restraints.
Now the 7:the Kakola is cleaned and lubricated. I also made a nice key for them. Not one of them is exactly like the other as they are handmade.
The size differ, the shape to the body differ, the weight differ, the swivels and clevis differ etc. They are all "individuals".
They keys are rarely interchangeable as the lenght to the protruding top of the key differ.


Lars