Cuff of the Day for April 23. Cool Variations.

lauher 23 Apr 2020

Today's topic is cool variations. These are standard cuffs that show some interesting variation from the norm.
Perhaps they were a special order, a prototype, a mistake or perhaps a copy, but for one reason or another the vary from the norm.

I will start with a couple strange Mattatuck handcuffs. The bottom cuff the picture shows a standard Mattatuck. The other two cuffs are the variations.
I purchased the middle one with the swivel first, then many years later the top one with the single link showed up on eBay. Another swivel model
has appeared on eBay so there are at least two known.

The interesting thing is that although they match a standard Mattatuck closely nothing is an exact match. Everything is of a slightly different size and/or shape.
My guess is that they are prototypes or experimental models made by Mattatuck. Or perhaps they were made by some foreign manufacturer.
I don't know, but they are cool variations.

Joe

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 23 Apr 2020

#2

To pair with your swivel handcuffs, here is a swivel leg iron

holstcollection 23 Apr 2020

#3

If this variation is "cool" or not is hard to tell. Anywhay, these are the Hiatt Bean with and without lock buttons.

Lars

Spencer 23 Apr 2020

#4

Lars

Those Hiatt Bean look like well made cuffs and had no idea they were made without arming buttons.

Spencer

Fred Pittella 23 Apr 2020

#5

A Walden variation different linkage

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 23 Apr 2020

#6

This obvious Waldon made cuff has a slightly different clevis than what the Walden Tool cuff features.

Fred Pittella 23 Apr 2020

#7

Tower Variation

chriscuffs6 23 Apr 2020

#8

Hiatt 1960 pattern Mark 2. Thirty years ago when I saw one of these in a collection in Belgium I thought they were a one off. They do not double lock and take a solid bitted key. Over the past years I think probably about 8 more have come to light.
The second item is a Hiatt 1960 Handcuff that takes a barrel key. Again it does not double lock, does anyone else have this model?

Unknown / guest 23 Apr 2020

#9

Believed to be a unique Salesman Sample. The Hiatt 1980 pattern developed by Peter LaTrobe had a double keyway and required the key to double lock them. The Hiatt Snap-on cuffs were also on the development table. Guess which one went into production!

BradD1 23 Apr 2020

#10

Fred Pittella wrote:Tower VariationTowers@.jpg

Fred, that upper cuff looks like the one I posted under”German Cuffs”. Do you know anything about it? Does it really double lock?

Brad

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BradD1 23 Apr 2020

#11

Fred Pittella wrote:Tower VariationTowers@.jpg

Just noticed the key is way different though. Does that one work?

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chriscuffs6 23 Apr 2020

#12

Yet another Hiatt 1960 unusual design. It is a double weight Handcuff but more unusual is the fact the bows are from the Hiatt Reliant Handcuff! We know that only 1000 Hiatt Reliant handcuffs were made any lots were returned to Hiatt due to the Star Wheel breaking.
Recently on eBay a similar pair of these sold in a job lot of Escapology restraints. The similar pair were quick release and could be pulled apart. It is now my belief that they were advertised by a magic dealer (probably Davenports) for the Escapology market and offered in two variations - standard pattern or bridge jumper pattern. The bows must have been salvaged from the broken Reliant Handcuffs.

djhalfdead 23 Apr 2020

#13

Here are a couple of Tower Leg Iron variations. The top one is a variation of chain type used for a Tower Bottom Key. And the second is again, a chain variation, used on a Tower Double Lock Leg Iron.
-Richard Knip-

BradD1 23 Apr 2020

#14

I know these have been seen from time to time, but since Mark got me all stirred up about H&Rs again I thought I’d post them. I’ve only seen 3 or 4 so they aren’t real common.

We can probably infer on one of two intentions... or maybe both:
1. Prisoner transport, or;
2. Strangling prisoner transport guards from behind.

You’ll note that they are “First Models”. Has anybody ever seen a “Second Model” version? John Harrington May have figured they weren’t that good of an idea by then

Anyway, think they’re cool.

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Unresolved image reference ↗

djhalfdead 23 Apr 2020

#15

These three variations of the Smith & Wesson Model 94 Handcuffs were made at and used in, Raiford prison in Florida. They were purchased via private sale, from the retired Lieutenant's estate. the cuffs are all in rough shape and have been used a lot! They also have a lot of things scratched into the surface of the cuffs. They two long chain version are Model 2 with the "N" coded key. The belly chain is a Model 1 with an "N" coded key.
-Richard knip-

dltvette 23 Apr 2020

#16

Smith & Wesson M-94 Custom S&W Employees Luggage Lock.
Dave

+1

Fred Pittella 23 Apr 2020

#17

BradD1 wrote: ↑
Apr 23, 2020
Fred Pittella wrote:Tower VariationTowers@.jpg
Just noticed the key is way different though. Does that one work?

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yes, the key works this particular pair doesn’t double lock I had always thought they were German from what I had heard

BradD1 23 Apr 2020

#18

You know, it seems to me that most of our really cool variations are based on ideas that might have seemed like a good idea at the time, but flopped big time.

Most collectors are aware of these, but they are rarely encountered. The infamous Patented Bow Stop. The ultimate solution to every practical problem with Tower DLs.

Well, they were patented, that part is true.

Patented in 1887 by Tower, et al the idea that a little spring loaded wedge in the bow would stop the bow from engaging the pawl and thus would be carried unlocked and ready to swing into action. Only problem is pushing the bow stop down is troublesome and can be painful. Most officers ended up just breaking the bow stop of and using them the old fashioned way. That’s the way most are found today, bow stop gone or some vestige left in the groove.

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Unresolved image reference ↗

Unknown / guest 23 Apr 2020

#19

You know, it seems to me that most of our really cool variations are based on ideas that might have seemed like a good idea at the time, but flopped big time.

Most collectors are aware of these, but they are rarely encountered. The infamous Patented Bow Stop. The ultimate solution to every practical problem with Tower DLs.

Well, they were patented, that part is true.

Patented in 1887 by Tower, et al the idea that a little spring loaded wedge in the bow would stop the bow from engaging the pawl and thus would be carried unlocked and ready to swing into action. Only problem is pushing the bow stop down is troublesome and can be painful. Most officers ended up just breaking the bow stop of and using them the old fashioned way. That’s the way most are found today, bow stop gone or some vestige left in the groove.

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Unresolved image reference ↗

Unknown / guest 23 Apr 2020

#20

Sorry for the double image up above. My phone is still smarter than I.

Anyway now to really confuse the issue.

Ok, we know the Bow Stop was patented in 1887. Most informed estimates are that they were not produced more that two years.

Also, common wisdom is that John Tower relinquished control of Towers to his manufacturer and chief distributor Union Hardware in the late 1920s or very early 1930s. When Union Hardware assumed control they changed the three round links to one oblong loop.

Three links = Towers. One long link= UH. Simple enough. 1889 Patented Bow Stop deader than a doornail.

So what are these? Anybody know?

Clearly, I think, a set of Union Hardware Double Locks with the 87 Stop.

Did John Tower produce DLs with a long link in 87 and not tell us? Or did UH bring back a really bad idea for a rerun in the 1930s?

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BradD1 23 Apr 2020

#21

And Ben did entirely assist me with this post

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holstcollection 23 Apr 2020

#22

I had to look through my collection carefully to find anything suitable for today's topic. I luckily found a few.

Horst Moabit 615
First out is a Horst Moabit 615 (steel). These cuffs normally looks like the one on top. The second one has the key hole on the opposite side. My guess is that this is some kind of a test or pre series cuff.

Horst Moabit 676
The Horst Moabit 675 (top) is a later model which takes a smaller square key. There is a very odd and rare version, 676 (bottom) that was made of aluminum.

Konepaja Voima, plated
The Konepaja cuffs are usually bare metal or blued. This set is plated, and I've only seen another two plated during all years. This set was donated to me from the police in Helsinki Finland in early 1980’s

Konepaja Voima, bar handcuff
The Konepaja Voima bar handcuff comes from the former Finnish escape artist, Timo Toumivaara's collection and this is the only set I know of. The craftsmanship is excellent and I'm sure this one is factory made.

BradD1 23 Apr 2020

#23

Lars, take a look at these. These are H&Rs, not KVs. I believe them to be the oldest I’ve ever seen.

I think yours posted here are the last KVs and I think mine are the first of the H&Rs.

In the 2007 I wrote a follow up article and postulated that John Harrington went over to Finland and bought all the tools, dies and patents and rights to make these as a H&R product and did not rip off KV as common lore often says.

Not a lick of proof. What do you think?

Brad

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Unresolved image reference ↗

djhalfdead 23 Apr 2020

#24

chriscuffs6 wrote: ↑
Apr 23, 2020
Yet another Hiatt 1960 unusual design. It is a double weight Handcuff but more unusual is the fact the bows are from the Hiatt Reliant Handcuff! We know that only 1000 Hiatt Reliant handcuffs were made any lots were returned to Hiatt due to the Star Wheel breaking.
Recently on eBay a similar pair of these sold in a job lot of Escapology restraints. The similar pair were quick release and could be pulled apart. It is now my belief that they were advertised by a magic dealer (probably Davenports) for the Escapology market and offered in two variations - standard pattern or bridge jumper pattern. The bows must have been salvaged from the broken Reliant Handcuffs.

I am the lucky individual who bought that lot of cuffs for next to nothing! I still do not have these cuffs, yet. My friend in the UK, was stopped from shipping them, right as the quarantine orders hit, over there. I have heard all about them and am patiently waiting for them to be shipped.
-Richard knip-

holstcollection 23 Apr 2020

#25

BradD1 wrote: ↑
Apr 23, 2020
Lars, take a look at these. These are H&Rs, not KVs. I believe them to be the oldest I’ve ever seen.

I think yours posted here are the last KVs and I think mine are the first of the H&Rs.

In the 2007 I wrote a follow up article and postulated that John Harrington went over to Finland and bought all the tools, dies and patents and rights to make these as a H&R product and did not rip off KV as common lore often says.

Not a lick of proof. What do you think?

Brad

Brad,
I had a look at your photos, very interesting! Your theory makes a lot of sense.
The H&R are basically very close to the KV and I never really belived the story about a straight rip off. What I wonder is why H&R didn't continue to manufacture under the
KV patent as they probably bought the rights. The KV is patented in 1928 and the H&R in 1934. Well, maybe they needed to protect the pattern with a US patent.

Now we also have a fact that makes the story more complicated. The KV/H&R have a sibling, the HETEKA (Helsinki's Steel furniture) handcuffs. These are later but I can't tell the time. The shape is a little more
"slender" and there are grooves in the bows (as for later H&R). If H&R bought the patent/rights from KV, the HETEKA would be a patent infringement. This fact makes the story even more complex.

Lars

Click to expand...

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ronspitz 23 Apr 2020

#26

Years ago I picked up a pair of Towers and noticed a small hole on the outside edge of the case. I assumed that someone was messing with the cuff until one day I was reading the patent papers where several methods of keeping the bow from locking. One method mentioned is inserting a pin or wire into a small hole to keep the bows from locking.

BradD1 23 Apr 2020

#27

Yeah, I’m sure he wanted broader patent infringement protection and there are probably other foreign patents to that end.

Maybe Paul or Chris could check Great Britain for us.

Anyway interesting pic you posted. Same key?

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Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 24 Apr 2020

#28

I declare April 23rd as Tower Variation Day across the world.
Here are some more.

The 1st Picture shows a minty Tower Bottom Key with a swivel and original key.

The 2nd picture shows a leg iron with an unusually large chain.
I believe it to be authentic as the first links do not show any form of metal work being done and all links are very uniform.

The 3rd is believed to be a military Leg Iron as it has this unusual zinc plating and is just not finished as fine as the rest of my Towers. It seems as if they were made quick and plated and without the time consuming workmanship. They are not stamped either. The stamping would require an additional manufacturing stamp and my theory is that the factory pumped these out to fulfill their navy contract.
If it were for a navy contract, they did not need to look as nice and were specified to be rust reistant.
I have a Mattatuck that is exactly the same way and from the same source. I have never seen a Mattatuck without their name being stamped on the cuff except for the zinc one so this substantiates my thinking that they were navy issue.

Unknown / guest 24 Apr 2020

#29

Lars,
Your Horst Moabit 615 (steel) at the top is like mine and all that I have ever seen.
If one were playing with these cuffs and got them locked on the wrist or a pole, it would cause a big problem as both keyways would be in the middle and a key would not be able to enter to unlock them.

By turning the cuffs around like in the second photo, the key could be inserted and turned to open under the same circumstances.

I think it was possible that someone got stuck and the factory experimented with putting the keyway towards the outside instead of face to face.

holstcollection 24 Apr 2020

#30

Mark,
I agree! The second version is better as the key holes are accessible in any position.
The standard model is treasonous as it can be locked without access to any keyhole.
Now the question; why did they not go with the second and safer version? Anyone else here having the second version?

Brad,
The key works both H&R, KV and HETEKA. There is one more detail that separate the HETEKA from the other. The pawl has TWO teeth, see photo.

Lars

gordonHC 24 Apr 2020

#31

PALMER # 4

This palmer is made with 3 less large holes. It has one additional small hole that is used to make the cuff one size smaller.

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 24 Apr 2020

#32

Never heard of that one.
Thanks!

gordonHC 29 Apr 2020

#33

Marks request
                                                           FIRST ADAMS

The Adams handcuff was the first adjustable handcuff to be patented in America. The first Adams had a 3 twisted links linkage,
so did the first Phelps, and the first Tower. After the first they all went to round chain links.
                                                                               First Adams
                                                                               Twisted linkage
                                                                                10 notches
                                                                                Markings : STATE PRISON

Unknown / guest 29 Apr 2020

#34

                                           PATENT APPLIED FOR
                          Markings : PATENT APPLIED FOR
                          18 notches

Unknown / guest 29 Apr 2020

#35

                                   2   PATENT DATES
      Markings : PAT,D APRIL,24 1863   June,17,1862
     8 NOTCHES
The April 24 1863 date is a mystery. I checked the patent papers and there is nothing about that date. It seems that date in not needed.
The manufacturer must have agreed and defaced that date. Chris says that he has an Adams with the April date. Probably the first
8 notches cuffs went out with that date and then they made a correction with the cuffs still in stock by defacing the April date and
stamping the June date. That's my guess. The rest of the Adams have the June date.

holstcollection 29 Apr 2020

#36

Thank you Gordon! This first version was totally new to me and I can’t
recall seeing another set.
Lars

Palmer info 29 Apr 2020

#37

Palmer without holes were copies made during the 1920's ( source Jon Oliver )

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 29 Apr 2020

#38

Thank you Gordon
The Adams 1st has the Phelps style chain versus the round links used in subsequent years.
Really new and exciting to see this.
Ron needs to know about this one too.
I have a patented one with a swivel as does a New York gardener.