Received my Argus Iron Claw today...

The website photos I purchased it from, made the 8 number look like a 9, so I thought it was going to be in the 94000 serial number range, but in fact it's in the 84000 range.
She seemed bone dry, but worked smoothly anyway. That said, after some squirts of some fine machine oil, she is downright silky smooth in operation
I am a condition junky, liking my collection items to be as close to new in box as possible... But although this specimen obviously falls way short of NIB, she's actually in nicer condition than even the vendor's pictures seem to show, so I am very happy with it.
Seeing the pics and a member here sharing the measurements of them with me, still did not prepare mae for how small and tidy these things are. It's almost downright cute, (although I'm sure those that were on the receiving end of it's claws would likely have not considered it as such
Anyhow, thanks again to you guys for answering my questions concerning this item

Sometime after I get home from work tomorrow, she'll be placed in the diaplay case that has a spot waiting for her ☺

Btw, I would guess 5this iron claw was made during the 1950's. I have been trying to find out what these were costing back then, but I have found nothing thus far.
There has got to be ads or something showing their retail prices back then... But it just keeps eluding me!
I won't give up the search!

Jimmy

     Back in 1970 or 71 I purchased an Iron Claw from The Courtlandt Boot Jack Co. for $15.00 brand new, probably should have purchased more. I hope this is some help.     Spencer

rickgaeta038 wrote: Jimmy

     Back in 1970 or 71 I purchased an Iron Claw from The Courtlandt Boot Jack Co. for $15.00 brand new, probably should have purchased more. I hope this is some help.     Spencer

Thanks!
So, I went to one of those online inflation calculators, and this is what the state as $15 in 1970 vs now in 2019...

Adjusted for inflation, $15.00 in 1970 is equal to $99.96 in 2019.

Btw, was your 1970'ish purchase of a brand new Iron Claw one that was made in the USA, or one of the Argus/Jay-Pee models made in Taiwan?

Here is a T.J. Ferricks catalog page from 1959. In the first column, towards the bottom, you can see the Iron Claw listed at $9.95. For an additional $2.10, you could get the optional carrying case for the Claw. Such a deal! I will take a dozen! LOL!
-Richard Knip-

djhalfdead wrote: Here is a T.J. Ferricks catalog page from 1959. In the first column, towards the bottom, you can see the Iron Claw listed at $9.95. For an additional $2.10, you could get the optional carrying case for the Claw. Such a deal! I will take a dozen! LOL!Capturef.PNG
-Richard Knip-

That's some good stuff!
I find it amazing how expensive the Peerless and S&W handcuffs were for back then. They are an awesome bargain today, especially compared to how much they used to go for.
I mean, over $13 back then, that was a pretty good amount, wow!

Mine says Argus Jay Pee and was made in New York. Spencer

Spencer wrote: Mine says Argus Jay Pee and was made in New York.  Spencer

I believe the New York address on the Jay Pee versions was the office addy... But seems like under Jay Pee ownership of the Iron Claw, they were having them made in Taiwan.

I think we would have to see a picture of Spencer's claw to be sure. If its the same body design as the ones made under Argus, then they are considered to be American Made. The Jay-Pee model that was Taiwan made, has a more blocky appearance to the area, just above the claws. Im sure, when Jay-Pee took over the Argus product line, they re-labeled the claws, with their name on them, but they were still the old American made stock. Jay-Pee had their stuff made by several companies. Their Handcuffs were made in either Taiwan or Spain, depending on the model.
-Richard Knip-

Here is my Iron Claw and I’m sure it is American made.

I was reading that the Jay Pee company reset the serial number range when they took over the production of the Iron Claw.
I wonder how high the serial number range reached with the original Argus before they sold their rights to the design?
And, I wonder how high the Jay Pee serial number range reached?

I had a little bit of time before getting ready for work this morning, so I decided to place the Iron Claw in it's new home.
I'm pretty stoked about this new "gadget", it adding a nice touch to the look of this latest display of mine
Thanks again for all your help, guys! ☺

My continuance on researching information on "The Iron Claw" by Argus of Chicago, had me reading that their last version, (having the two pattents stamped onto them), were made in upwards of 100,000. If one includes the earlier versions without both patents numbers stamped into them, that must place total Argus of Chicago Iron Claws past the 150,000 mark. Mine is in the 84,000 range, and I thought that would have placed it during the end of their production of it before the Argus/Jay Pee versions came out, but if there were over 150,000 Iron Claws put out by Argus of Chicago, then my 84,000 would be more mid point in their totals.
My trying to locate pics of Iron Claws online with high serial numbers, (beyond 100,000), have turned up nothing. I am not saying that they didn't make them in those higher numbers, but just have not found specimens with those higher numbers to prove it.
If anyone has pics of, or personally has one with such high serial number, please share ☺

Of the 5 Iron Claw versions I have, the highest serial # is in the 45XXX range.
-Richard Knip-

I had placed each set of cuffs beside their key(s), but was thinking that somehow, somewhere, someday, they would all get separated from each other. Rather than looping the key rings around the swing arms or cuff chain links, I decided to purchase a small spool of good ole fashioned ball chain to keep them matched properly. This way, when I pull a set out here and there for the occasional routine maintenance, I can easily temporarily un-latch the ball chained keys from them while I perform the task.
I also felt the ball chain idea would blend in well with the display scheme I have going on here ☺