Phelps handcuffs

Does anyone know exactly how many models or versions of Phelps were produced?

I know there were at least two but were there any others?

Thanks Spencer

I just know of the two of them. I just missed one on Ebay, a few days ago. been doing a little too much reckless spending and was too short to make a bid. Someone got a heck of a deal! Did anyone on here, get them?
-Richard Knip-

Richard I won the Phelps and that has renewed my interest in them and I was somewhat surprised when they didn’t attract any other bidders but they function okay and the key appears to original.

Thanks Spencer

Awesome! You got a great deal! Glad to see them go to one of the members on the forum, here. Thats great that they work an may have an original key! Very cool! I got screwed on one of my Ebay purchases, lately. I won the BS LTD, adjustable darbys from South Africa. I finally got them in and find out that one of the locking bolts has had the threaded section, broken off. The other side works fine, but this side is no good. Asked to do a return and the seller has refused. So, now we play the waiting game and have Ebay step in and settle it. Had i not gone for this one, and several others, i would have been in on the bid for the Phelps. Im sure other folks that normally would have bid, are watching their nickels for the Holidays. It was a great time to snag a prized set of cuffs!
-Richard Knip-

Thanks Richard I do feel fortunate to have snagged them that’s for sure. To avoid getting burned when I bid on a set of cuffs I will often ask the seller if there are any repairs, alterations or defects so that I have a leg to stand on should the worst happen. I hope it works out in your favor.

Spencer

photos please

please post photos of what Phleps you have

Here is a photo of the handcuffs and they are definitely the second model.
Spencer

Here is my 1st model Phelps

Mark that first model is one of the rarest known American cuffs, nice addition.

Spencer

Walmart has them in the sporting goods section

How many of the 1st model Phelps are known to exist?

A great question.
I have never seen another example nor have I ever had a conversation about any others.
There must be a few out there though.

Congratulations Spencer!

Avery nice set of Phelps! The Phelps are for sure one of my favorite US cuffs.

The key with your cuffs are interesting and looks period. I've never seen an original key for the Phelps but this one
might very well be one.

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Many thanks Lars and maybe some other Phelps owners can post photos of their keys for comparison.

Spencer

Hi Spencer,

My Phelps didn’t come with a key. I had the measurements and I asked a friend who is a lock collector to look in his key box for a suitable key to alter. He found this key and when I tried it, it turned out to work perfectly. I didn’t have to work on it at all. However, I certainly would have loved an original key.

Lars

Lars your key may not be original but nevertheless you have an outstanding example of these cuffs, nicer than mine.

Spencer

Hi, Lars. 

Those are in Fantastic shape[!]
Some people here will remember the trade I made to get my set of Phelps. This was the rarest cuff that I knew to exist back then. I went to my handcuff pal GG and told him how excited I was to have landed a Phelps(!!!!). He got excited too and then said "Which kind?".  It took a while to get over that but those are the breaks. Mr. G. can have this effect on people.

Hi Elliott,

I certainly remeber the story with G.G's comment on the versions. I also remeber I tried to trade your Phelps as I didn't have them at that time. This is many years ago.
I hope you are well!

Lars

Can someone point out the difference between the 1st and 2nd model? I can't see anything besides the chain links? Here is a photo of my Phelps.

The lock body on a 1st model appears to be rounder and the keyhole is pointing in the opposite direction.

1st model smaller lock case as Glenn mentioned key hole in different direction

2nd Model 3 differant linkage