Judds

I responded to "First Model Maltby Single Lock" and the pair of Judd leg irons and handcuffs that appeared at the bottom of the post.
But I think I should have started another thread. Here was my question again in its own thread:
Hello,
I have been thinking about Judds. I have talked to a number of people and it seems to me that they are really fussy. I have one pair that has one wonky side. However, if I put the key in my 40 degrees below zero freezer, the key contracts enough to seize the internal post of the cuff and then that side will open.
I have been playing around with the good side and it seems to me that this is true--I put the key in and turn it a little bit and the cuff will open. If I keep going in the same direction a little bit more, the locking bar retracts into the cuff and stays there. Now the bow can swing in and out. If I open the cuff all the way, it clicks and the next time I insert the bow, it will lock.
Here is my question--After getting the bar to retract, my key can continue in a 360 degree circle. It will just go round and round. Is this the way it is supposed to be?
Mike

I had answered this on the other topic you posted on. Once you turn the key to retract the pawl (bar), the key should stop. You will hear it click. Then you can pull the key out and the swing arm will pull in and out of the lock casing without locking. They can be carried in your pocket, etc. Then to use them, just open the swing arm to its furthest point. You will once again hear a click. The pawl is now reset and the swing arm will lock again, when it enters the cuff' body. But, the key should not be able to just spin freely. By freezing the key and making it contract, that tightens the connection on the post. Its likely either the post itself or the key is to blame as one of them is starting to become stripped out. Very common problem with both the Round key Maltby and Judd handcuffs.