dltvette
#1Earliest variant of the S&W Pre-Model 90.
I have been asked by some collectors about the “variants” of the Smith & Wesson Model 90’s, such as detent placement & ampersands (lazy vs standard).
One variant I have only seen one of in the Pre-Model 90 or the Model 90, is this early Pre-Model 90, 3-digit serial number 591. I use the term Pre-Model 90 because S&W Handcuffs was the only term used from 1952 when they started manufacturing their own line of handcuffs until 1958 when they started assigning Model Numbers to their handcuffs.
This one is definitely one I would consider a "variant" or possibly a early "sample" model. Photos can also be seen on pages 143-145 in my book, Early Peerless Handcuff Company With Smith & Wesson (at end of book).
The differences noted on this example, serial no. 591, compared to the standard M-90's are:
Both right & left front (keyway) sides have the S&W Logo.
Both right & left rear sides have the:
MADE IN U.S.A.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & (lazy) WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
The right rear cuff has the serial number 591
This is the only M-90 I have seen stamped this way.
The standard Pre M-90 or Model 90 stampings are:
Right Front Cuff: S&W Logo
Left Front Cuff:
MADE IN U.S.A.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & (lazy or standard) WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
Right Rear Cuff: Serial Number
Left Rear Cuff: No Markings
The standard Pre-Model 90 shown here is serial number 1933.
I would be very interested in seeing if someone has a pre-model 90 or model 90 with the stampings as my serial number 591.
This example with serial number 591, was found in the Smith & Wesson factory in this older style Peerless Handcuff box with a Smith & Wesson label pasted over Peerless on the box end and on the instruction paper pasted inside the box lid. They were found by Roy Jinks, Historian for S&W and went into his collection and remained there until he sold them to me.
In my research and according to my collection, having the S&W logo on the front of both cuffs & the address on the rear sides of both cuffs, were not used again, until the introduction of their new line in 1978 when they began their Model 100 line, starting with the Patents Pending versions.
If someone has a S&W Pre-Model 90 with a lower serial number than 591 or one with the same stampings, please post photos so I can add it to my research.
Thank You,
Dave
I have been asked by some collectors about the “variants” of the Smith & Wesson Model 90’s, such as detent placement & ampersands (lazy vs standard).
One variant I have only seen one of in the Pre-Model 90 or the Model 90, is this early Pre-Model 90, 3-digit serial number 591. I use the term Pre-Model 90 because S&W Handcuffs was the only term used from 1952 when they started manufacturing their own line of handcuffs until 1958 when they started assigning Model Numbers to their handcuffs.
This one is definitely one I would consider a "variant" or possibly a early "sample" model. Photos can also be seen on pages 143-145 in my book, Early Peerless Handcuff Company With Smith & Wesson (at end of book).
The differences noted on this example, serial no. 591, compared to the standard M-90's are:
Both right & left front (keyway) sides have the S&W Logo.
Both right & left rear sides have the:
MADE IN U.S.A.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & (lazy) WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
The right rear cuff has the serial number 591
This is the only M-90 I have seen stamped this way.
The standard Pre M-90 or Model 90 stampings are:
Right Front Cuff: S&W Logo
Left Front Cuff:
MADE IN U.S.A.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & (lazy or standard) WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
Right Rear Cuff: Serial Number
Left Rear Cuff: No Markings
The standard Pre-Model 90 shown here is serial number 1933.
I would be very interested in seeing if someone has a pre-model 90 or model 90 with the stampings as my serial number 591.
This example with serial number 591, was found in the Smith & Wesson factory in this older style Peerless Handcuff box with a Smith & Wesson label pasted over Peerless on the box end and on the instruction paper pasted inside the box lid. They were found by Roy Jinks, Historian for S&W and went into his collection and remained there until he sold them to me.
In my research and according to my collection, having the S&W logo on the front of both cuffs & the address on the rear sides of both cuffs, were not used again, until the introduction of their new line in 1978 when they began their Model 100 line, starting with the Patents Pending versions.
If someone has a S&W Pre-Model 90 with a lower serial number than 591 or one with the same stampings, please post photos so I can add it to my research.
Thank You,
Dave