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Cuff of the Day for April 18. Made in Germany

45 visible archived posts · 45 preserved total · topic ID 6925

lauher 18 Apr 2020

Today we visit Germany. There a lots of interesting cuffs from Germany, both old and new.
Please show us your old rare ones and your fancy new ones. I anticipate that this will be a long stream.

In Brad's honor I will start with a Darby.

The Darby picture below was made by or for W.R.K. located in the city of Solingen. W.R.K. stands for Wilhelm Reinhardt Kirschbaum, a manufacturer of swords in the German city of Solingen from 1862-1883.

Solingen was city known for its swords. Another contemporary sword company was Clemen & Jung OHG, Solingen , better known today as the manufacturer of Clejuso handcuffs.

The W.R.K. Darby is an obvious copy of an English Darby, but the shape is somewhat different as is the swivel. The Darby came with a unique winged key, but there is no reason to believe that it is original.

Joe

spidydenver1234 18 Apr 2020

I have no German Darby's. Just this Hamburg 8 model with the wider slot key way. Does anyone have a original Hamburg with any kind of markings? Mine has none.
Cheers !
Gav

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Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 18 Apr 2020

I realize that I have posted this pic here before, but Joe asked for rare and rare this is.
From what I know, this is the only Stotz leg iron in North America.
It came from the Houdini Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada at the Butterfield auction.

spidydenver1234 18 Apr 2020

Truly amazing pieces, I have to sign a no compete clause. How many known stotz leg irons are there? Are yours gaffed in anyway so houdini could escape quicker?
Thank you for sharing mark.
Gav

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KruegerKuffs 18 Apr 2020

Does anyone have any info on the first cuff? I've often heard them called gestapo cuffs; they look somewhat like a predecessor to the East-German (post 1945) cuffs. Do August Schwarz oder Otto Schlüter have anything to do with these?

Got some West-German cuffs, some East-German cuffs, and some post-unification (1990) cuffs. I'll leave the special items to the experts.

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 18 Apr 2020

spidydenver1234 wrote: ↑
Apr 18, 2020
Truly amazing pieces, I have to sign a no compete clause. How many known stotz leg irons are there? Are yours gaffed in anyway so houdini could escape quicker?
Thank you for sharing mark.
Gav

You know, It never occurred o me that I could be gaffed.
I don't think so but that would be funny if they were tricked the whole time I had them.
I only had them out of the frame to one time when I had to change the name plate. They originally had a tag that had "Stutz" on it.

holstcollection 18 Apr 2020

German restraints are among my favorites.

A selection of Hamburg 8, Stotz, Horst Moabit and two nice Scwertfeger. Also an unknown figure of 8.
There are more to come...

Lars

Pad-Lock 18 Apr 2020

Bonowi Smartlock High Security handcuffs, are heavy duty and well made. handcuffs are made entirely of stainless steel, with well rounded edges. locks employ 3 independent pawls, separated by 2 anti-shim bars, and open with a unique triple bit key. There are keyholes on both sides of handcuffs. They come in a Hinged version, as well as a 2 link and 4 link chain versions. Made in Germany.

holstcollection 18 Apr 2020

Adding a selection of Berliner and Mühlenfeldt

chriscuffs6 18 Apr 2020

#10

Quite a topic, few of the more unusual German items I have:
Bar Handcuffs with leather waist belt
Figure 8
Early Horst cuffs
Horst Stein Legirons
Horst Stein Flexibles
Berliner Flat Top
Mulenfeld
Kayser rare model with higher security key

djhalfdead 18 Apr 2020

#11

Kayser No 5. Hamburg 8 Handcuffs and Kayser No. 6 Handcuffs. To answer the earlier question of "does anyone have an original Hamburg 8 with markings on the cuffs?" No. My cuffs only have 1,2,3,4, stamped onto the 4 different parts. I guess to make sure they are assembled correctly? But the key does have the Kayser anchor symbol stamped into it. Next is a strange looking and functioning Darby Handcuff, believed to be of West German manufacture. Last, is a Stotz that I have just purchased and will be arriving next week! I also have another Stotz, with a different length tube, coming in from the U.K., soon.

-Richard Knip-

gordonHC 18 Apr 2020

#12

HORST STEIN
These are an early model as they do not have the plate that covers the holes. The markings on the handcuff and leg iron areDRGM
on one side and DRGM on the other side.

Pad-Lock 18 Apr 2020

#13

Clejuso Model 15 Heavyweight Handcuffs. themselves, these are some of the thickest, heaviest handcuffs ever made. Over 1 1/2 inches thick. and Model 17 Heavy Weight Handcuff with Anchor. these are huge.. a bit much, for the every day carry.

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 18 Apr 2020

#14

My Muhlenfeld 115
I believe these are the only known pair in North America.
The workmanship is unapparelled.

holstcollection 18 Apr 2020

#15

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs wrote: ↑
Apr 18, 2020
My Muhlenfeld 115
I believe these are the only known pair in North America.
The workmanship is unapparelled.

I agree, the craftmanship on these Mühlenfeld is extraordinary, top notch quality.

Fred Pittella 18 Apr 2020

#16

Very impressive gentleman seems Germany has some very interesting cuffs..... These are straight out of the Horst Stein catalog

lauher 18 Apr 2020

#17

Here is one of the most secure handcuffs every made. And it is a Darby.
The Andy HS105 handcuff custom made in Germany. It is made of heavy gauge stainless steel and uses an Abloy key.
Joe

http://www.andys-handschellensammlung.d ... 105_en.htm

holstcollection 18 Apr 2020

#18

Kayser nr. 6 in a four differnt keyed variations.

Fred Pittella 18 Apr 2020

#19

A page from the Clejuso Catalog

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 18 Apr 2020

#20

Fred Pittella wrote: ↑
Apr 18, 2020
Very impressive gentleman seems Germany has some very interesting cuffs..... These are straight out of the Horst Stein catalogHorst Stein@.jpg

Upper right cuff is upside down.
Must be defective.
Sell it to me cheap!

Fred Pittella 18 Apr 2020

#21

Just a bit more

Unknown / guest 18 Apr 2020

#22

Mark no worries i'll send them right... when should I expect the Stotz legirons to get here....

thenarsian 18 Apr 2020

#23

I don't have any real information on these. I was told that they were German Gestapo cuffs from the 1930s, but I tend not to believe stories that seller's attach to cuffs.
They are completely unmarked except for the number 14.
Any information from our German friends would be greatly appreciated.

Unknown / guest 18 Apr 2020

#24

These are my Stotz Handcuffs. They are marked A. Stotz and come with a replacement key made by Ian McColl.

spidydenver1234 18 Apr 2020

#25

djhalfdead wrote:Kayser No 5. Hamburg 8 Handcuffs and Kayser No. 6 Handcuffs. To answer the earlier question of "does anyone have an original Hamburg 8 with markings on the cuffs?" No. My cuffs only have 1,2,3,4, stamped onto the 4 different parts. I guess to make sure they are assembled correctly? But the key does have the Kayser anchor symbol stamped into it. Next is a strange looking and functioning Darby Handcuff, believed to be of West German manufacture. Last, is a Stotz that I have just purchased and will be arriving next week! I also have another Stotz, with a different length tube, coming in from the U.K., soon.

-Richard Knip-Kayser No. 5 HAMBURG 8s #111 (153150).JPGKAYSER NO 6. HANDCUFFS #428 (5125) broke spring on one cuff front.JPGUNKNOWN WEST GERMAN DARBY HANDCUFFS #962 (100 125) BACK.JPGpix630337610.jpg
Click to expand...

I saw a pair just like your west german adjustable darbys from the same Argentinian guy that I got the italian dollar from. I had no idea that these were German otherwise I would of picked them up. Very nice and unique.

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djhalfdead 18 Apr 2020

#26

These are the ones from the Argentina guy on Ebay. I wasnt sure what they were, when I saw them, either. I knew I didnt have them, so I grabbed them and looked them up afterwards. So far, everything I have found about them is that they are of West German origin. But, no information as to the maker or the time i may have been made in?
-Richard Knip-

gordonHC 18 Apr 2020

#27

FOLDING BOWS BERLINER

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 18 Apr 2020

#28

Fred Pittella wrote: ↑
Apr 18, 2020
Mark no worries i'll send them right... when should I expect the Stotz legirons to get here....

I took them out of the frame and put them on my feet to see if they are gaffed or not.
They're not. I'll send them over once I figure out what I did with the key.

Fred Pittella 18 Apr 2020

#29

This goes for legirons and feet too!

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 18 Apr 2020

#30

Deal!
They are on their way!

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 18 Apr 2020

#31

OOPS

How did my birthday stamps get in there too?

gordonHC 18 Apr 2020

#32

MUHLENFELD HANDCUFF
Only know one in Chicago

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 19 Apr 2020

#33

Two more

Fred Pittella 19 Apr 2020

#34

August Schwarz

djhalfdead 19 Apr 2020

#35

A few more I can add to the list. It was shared on another thread, earlier in the week, but also fits here. My Clejuso Adjustable Darby with the chain mounting points on the lock tube.

On to the Cabriolet Single Cuff Come- Along. This one is also made by Clejuso.

The Double Thick/Double Weight Clejuso Handcuffs.

Lastly, Handcuffs from the 1980s, the Bund A.W. Naht Handcuffs from Hamburg, Germany.
-Richard Knip-

chriscuffs6 19 Apr 2020

#36

Old advert from A Stotz,

holstcollection 19 Apr 2020

#37

An odd German hinged prototype.

Unknown / guest 19 Apr 2020

#38

Two "prison handcuffs" of unknown makers.

lira 19 Apr 2020

#39

holstcollection wrote: ↑
Apr 19, 2020
Two "prison handcuffs" of unknown makers.

Some collectors told me they are both Otto Schlüter handcuffs. I have the same as your second cuff.

holstcollection 19 Apr 2020

#40

lira wrote: ↑
Apr 19, 2020
holstcollection wrote: ↑
Apr 19, 2020
Two "prison handcuffs" of unknown makers.
Some collectors told me they are both Otto Schlüter handcuffs. I have the same as your second cuff.

It very well might be possible, none of mine have any markings though.

RyanVaene 20 Apr 2020

#41

Thank you to everyone who is sharing such interesting German cuffs, particularly the unique darby cuffs.

Richard, the West German darby cuff you shared is fascinating. It appears to have the iconic darby locking cylinder but the bow is almost like a modern swing thru profile. Very unique. I also liked your adjustable darby handcuffs with the swivel on the locks, although it does look sort of "backwards". I wonder why they made them that way; it looks like it would be harder to apply, remove, and more uncomfortable. Maybe more secure, though.

Joe, the Andy HS105 is impressive! It looks like a high-tech darby, which I think is a very cool antique-futuristic fusion. With that multi-bit 3D key, the lock must be very secure indeed. What a unique and custom pair of handcuffs. I wonder if they made the matching shackles as well.

Here are my only German cuffs, the Clejuso 13's, which are a slightly smaller but still absolutely massive version of the 15's posted earlier by Padlock. They have a nice finger activated double lock, are very well rounded, and have a large key. They are quite excessive, well made, and well finished. They are not "mirror image" but rather one cuff was made and two were linked together to make a set. Note on the left cuff how you can see the cast latticework on the inside of the cuff. The only change I would suggest is the use of two large O rings in place of chain links.
Aside from the heavier version and anchor cuff posted earlier, they were (are?) also available in a long chain version, perhaps suitable for small leg irons, while the Clejuso leg irons are of a completely different design.

holstcollection 20 Apr 2020

#42

Gordon, does your Mühlenfeld have any stampings to them?
Some have “Mühlenfeld Barmen” stamped to the bows.
My set has no factory stampings but the number “13” stamped to the tops.

Lars

lira 20 Apr 2020

#43

RyanVaene wrote: ↑
Apr 20, 2020

Joe, the Andy HS105 is impressive! It looks like a high-tech darby, which I think is a very cool antique-futuristic fusion. With that multi-bit 3D key, the lock must be very secure indeed. What a unique and custom pair of handcuffs. I wonder if they made the matching shackles as well.

The Andy HS105 was produced made to measure for the person who bought it and was avaible as hand- and legcuff. Sadly, no versions will be produced anytime in future, because Andy, the producer, died this year in February...
The lock is an Abloy lock. Andy told this were the most secure locks all over the world.
He wanted to create the most secure cuff all over the world... That's why this cuff exists.
If this cuffs are the most secure ones, I think everybody must create his/her own opinion ;)

BradD1 20 Apr 2020

#44

Joe, first my apologies for being a bit slow to get to this. I’ve been on high alert preparing to defeat coronavirus and also Ben has been busy with Bengal projects and not able to assist.

So, thank you, thank you so much and thank you to the Academy for awarding me the highly prestigious Darby Honor. I could hardly hold back my tears. My three sons are going to hold a reception and we’ll invite the neighbors over to celebrate...once the quarantine is over.

I just hope Mark and Gordon and Ron and Lars and those other guys can appreciate this. Eat your hearts out!

Okay, German cuffs. I looked around and just found the usual Stotz (I have two) and Hamburg 8s. Ho hum.

Then I spied these jewels. A set of Tower DL knock offs with bow stops which stops the bow after it stops. Sometimes they work, but do set some time aside in advance to work them. Also they don’t double lock.

I got them in a trade with Stan and he thought they were German. He’s really savvy so I’m going with that.

They kind of remind me of Balcos. Did anybody ever figure out where those came from?

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Unresolved image reference ↗

Unknown / guest 21 Apr 2020

#45

Oops, I forgot...and thank you to all my fans!

B.

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