Queation about sw model 90's

Hello guys,

I'm new here and I'm happy to join this group.

I bought a pair of old smith and Wesson but I don't know what is the model cause they are not stamped on them... What is the difference between model 90 91 ? Any tip to help me?

Thank guys

No
Bondage dungeon owner and handcuffs collector

The Model 90 are Regular Finish Blue or Nickel.
The Model 91 are Polished Blue or Nickel.
Dave

And model 938 is inox/rustfree version

And model 926 is the aluminum version.

Thank guys

In 1952 Smith & Wesson started manufacturing their own brand of handcuffs
From 1952 to 1958 They were just advertised as A New and Improved Model
In 1958 they assigned model numbers to their cuffs, although they did not mark the cuffs with model numbers, just the boxes.

In 1958 they offered:
Model 90 Regular Finish Blue or Nickel
Model 91 Polished Blue or Nickel
Model 926 Airweight Polished (aluminum)
Model 925 Airweight Nickel (aluminum) (discontinued around1967)

In 1961 They introduced two Stainless Steel models:
Model 936  Stainless Steel Polished ( discontinued sometime between 1971 & 1974) 
Model 938 Stainless Steel

In 1965 they introduced their line of Belly Chains & Lead Chains)
Model 800 ( 2-M-90 handcuffs separated in front of belly chain)
Model 810 ( 2-M-90 handcuffs together in front center of belly chain)
Model 820 ( 2-M-90 handcuffs on a lead chain)
Model 830 ( 1- M-90 handcuff on a lead chain

In 1969 they introduced their Maximum Security Handcuffs
Model 94 ( pin tumbler lock can be set to various combinations allowing exclusive keying to each law enforcement agency)

In late 1963-64 through the 1970's they manufactured a model exclusive for the military. 
Model 95 ( I have never seen an advertisement for these)

Attached scans of models offered in the different S&W brochures I have,

Dave

This is a blued, model 95. Note just one S&W stamp on the front of one cuff. No serial numbers or other stampings. I also have this in a standard nickel version. These are the military versions that were made by S&W.
-Richard Knip-

Richard, The boxed ones I have do not have Model 95 stamped on the boxes. I have a blued & a nickel in original boxes & several non-boxed examples.
I have what I believe was the example of the model 90 handcuff sent to the military for approval for the model 95. 
Back in 2012, Herb Belin, long time employee of S&W, Project Manager, Director Emerging Technologies, found these in an old cabinet in the S&W plant basement, and sent them to me.
They are a blued pair of the model 90, with all the model 90 markings and a serial number of 143521. There is a 2-piece brass tag marked: 11476 on the back & DCTSC on the front cover.  A wire is run through the left cuff swivel and through the right cuff latch pivot pin hole, and the ends of the wire are clamped inside of the brass tag. The right cuff does not have the latch arm installed. The DCTSC, is the Defense Clothing & Textile Supply Center under the control of the DSA (Defense Supply Agency) in 1962.
The brown box 
has a glued-on end label marked:
8465-242-7860
HANDCUFF            1 EACH
DSA-1-3220-64       A-11/63 

I don't have concrete evidence that these were a prototype of the M-95 but with the tag & military M-95 style box with end label, sure is persuasive. 
The Prototype box is dated November 1963
The Nickel M-95 box is dated March 1970
The Blued M-95 box is dated August 1972 

Dave
 

Oh wow! How cool is that?! Thank you for sharing that info and the pictures! I never even knew of the model 95, until George Brett showed me a picture of a pair, a few years ago. I set my sights on finding them and found the nickel plated, without a box, on ebay for $20. It was listed as a model 90. Then, in Germany, i found the boxed, blued pair a month ago. I wish I had the prototype, but at least I have the other two examples and 1 box, now. Pretty happy with that.
-Richard Knip-

Wow nice handcuffs guys... Thank for information very appreciated

Here is another pair of S&W M-95 in a green (US Army) canvas pouch, the front is marked US under the snap.
Dave 

Here is what I believe to be a Factory Cut-Away Model 90 left hand cuff only. The inside of the cuff is finished & nickel plated.
This cuff came in a S&W handcuff box without model type or finish printed on either end of lid.
Dave

Hi---I have a S&W #90 (nickel) with ONLY the Circular Logo on the (right-hand) cuff........No serial number or text, or other markings on either cuff.
 
A letter that I have from "Tim1" (a former S&W salesman, I believe) states that these handcuffs "Did not pass inspection through quality control"......and they were sold as "Factory Seconds", with most of the flaws being in finish or plating.
Sold for about $7 back in the late 1970's.
 
So this now raises the question whether the NICKEL #90s that ONLY have a "circular stamping" - are "Military Issue", or a simply a "Factory Second"?
 
I would THINK that "Military Issue" S&W handcuffs (i.e. model 95) would ALL be BLUED, and not nickel plated.
 
Thoughts anyone?
 
---Joe Fox
 

Joe, I have examples of both blue & nickel new in box. 
The nickel set is dated fiscal year 1970 and the contract number of 0492 (DSA 100-70-C-0492)
The blue example is dated fiscal year 1972 and the contract number is 0903 (DSA 100-72-C-0903)
Dave

Thanks, Dave.

Joe,
I will have to say that the majority of the Model 95 Military handcuffs are most likely blued.
Out of the 9 examples of M-95's I have 7 are blued & 2 are nickeled.
Dave

Joe, I dug out my S&W M-95's, and the other Nickel one I have besides the NIB posted above, has a non-factory stamping on the back side of the left hand cuff of:
YC 2. I had in a note that YC 2 is a pay grade established by the National Security Personnel System, Department of Defense.
Here are some photos. Tell me what you think.
Dave

Dave:  Thanks for the above two extra photos.

My Nickel pair of #90s (with ONLY the circular stamping, and no serial number) are identical to the examples that you've shown.

I will defer to your provided information, and conclude that I have a pair of Nickel 'Military Issue" Handcuffs....which, I'm glad to have.

--Joe