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Cuff of the Day for April 27. Imitations.

26 visible archived posts · 26 preserved total · topic ID 6938

lauher 27 Apr 2020

Thanks go to Lars for suggesting today's topic. Suggestions from others are welcome. Send me a forum message or email: lauher@handcuffs.org

Lars suggested the topic Imitation Cuffs.   If a manufacturer comes up with a successful model, their
reward is often an imitation made by their competitors.    The copies are usually inferior, but they can be most interesting for collectors.

What examples can you find in your collection?

I will start with one of the Tower Detective model. All sorts of imitations exist.

The first cuff below is a real Tower. The next three are imitations.

Joe

holstcollection 27 Apr 2020

Imittions is a really great topic! Over time, clever inventions have been copied. -Some imitations are even better than the prototype and some are not.

In Finland, the Konpeja Voima was patented in 1928, the H&R Super handcuffs were patended in 1934. The story behind is still hidden in the shadows. Was the invention/patent paid for or was it stolen? We will probably never know.

What we do know is that the Finns were really good in imitating others inventions. In this case, I would say the imitations are better made than the originals.
Below we have three Tower imitations. Unlike the original Tower, these seem to be more handcrafted and not casted as Tower.

The first one out is a Tower DL imitation with an unusual bar instead of links. Unlike Tower DL, these are only single locking.

The next set is a Tower Bottom Key imitaion. These are made of steel and brass and much more sturdy then the original Towers.

The last set is another Tower DL imitaion. These are double locking. They differ from the original Tower not only by the position of the key hole
but also as there is a left and right hand cuff,

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 27 Apr 2020

John J. Tower is turning over in his grave.
He is thinking of all the royalties he could have had when his designs were copied
Here are a couple more.
The Hiatt Nigerian (bottom) was certainly authorized.

holstcollection 27 Apr 2020

The Hiatt Negerian Pattern is really cool! I unfortunately don't have them myself.

BradD1 27 Apr 2020

holstcollection wrote:Imittions is a really great topic! Over time, clever inventions have been copied. -Some imitations are even better than the prototype and some are not.

In Finland, the Konpeja Voima was patented in 1928, the H&R Super handcuffs were patended in 1934. The story behind is still hidden in the shadows. Was the invention/patent paid for or was it stolen? We will probably never know.

What we do know is that the Finns were really good in imitating others inventions. In this case, I would say the imitations are better made than the originals.
Below we have three Tower imitations. Unlike the original Tower, these seem to be more handcrafted and not casted as Tower.

The first one out is a Tower DL imitation with an unusual bar instead of links. Unlike Tower DL, these are only single locking.

The next set is a Tower Bottom Key imitaion. These are made of steel and brass and much more sturdy then the original Towers.

The last set is another Tower DL imitaion. These are double locking. They differ from the original Tower not only by the position of the key hole
but also as there is a left and right hand cuff,
Click to expand...

And a Mattatuck key-#3.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

djhalfdead 27 Apr 2020

A set of Imitation Tower Double Lock Handcuffs, that are most likely, from Germany. Note the key hole and the exposed pins on the pivoting points. This set is actually pretty well made and does function, well. Seems Tower was often Imitated?
-Richard Knip-

chriscuffs6 27 Apr 2020

The Chinese are good at imitating some handcuffs. Photo shows:

Hiatt HSS9 cuffs
TCH HS cuffs
Anhua Chinese copy.

Unknown / guest 27 Apr 2020

Hiatt actually made two types of the Towers cuffs. The first type Mark has shown often referred to as their Nigerian Pattern. The other one is a much finer mechanism sold as their Model 121 shown below.

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 27 Apr 2020

chriscuffs6 wrote: ↑
Apr 27, 2020
Hiatt actually made two types of the Towers cuffs. The first type Mark has shown often referred to as their Nigerian Pattern. The other one is a much finer mechanism sold as their Model 121 shown below.

Never saw that and it looks exactly the same. How can you tell this from a US made one? Are they marked?
Learning all kinds of new things the last 2 weeks!

chriscuffs6 27 Apr 2020

#10

Yes they are marked Hiatt and double lock. They are slightly smaller than than the Towers DL cuffs. Think Joe compared their sizes in his British Handcuff Book.

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 27 Apr 2020

#11

chriscuffs6 wrote: ↑
Apr 27, 2020
Yes they are marked Hiatt and double lock. They are slightly smaller than than the Towers DL cuffs. Think Joe compared their sizes in his British Handcuff Book.

Fantastic!

holstcollection 27 Apr 2020

#12

BradD1 wrote: ↑
Apr 27, 2020
holstcollection wrote:Imittions is a really great topic! Over time, clever inventions have been copied. -Some imitations are even better than the prototype and some are not.

In Finland, the Konpeja Voima was patented in 1928, the H&R Super handcuffs were patended in 1934. The story behind is still hidden in the shadows. Was the invention/patent paid for or was it stolen? We will probably never know.

What we do know is that the Finns were really good in imitating others inventions. In this case, I would say the imitations are better made than the originals.
Below we have three Tower imitations. Unlike the original Tower, these seem to be more handcrafted and not casted as Tower.

The first one out is a Tower DL imitation with an unusual bar instead of links. Unlike Tower DL, these are only single locking.

The next set is a Tower Bottom Key imitaion. These are made of steel and brass and much more sturdy then the original Towers.

The last set is another Tower DL imitaion. These are double locking. They differ from the original Tower not only by the position of the key hole
but also as there is a left and right hand cuff,
And a Mattatuck key-#3.

Brad, the key is also similar to the Finnish Kakola key. they also have protruding bits, just like Mattatuck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Fred Pittella 27 Apr 2020

#13

Imitation Beans

Unknown / guest 27 Apr 2020

#14

The body of both cuffs are stamped Hiatt with the number 11

Unknown / guest 27 Apr 2020

#15

I guess the most imitated handcuff is the Takeda

holstcollection 27 Apr 2020

#16

Imitations is one thing but there is a step below that we could call "inspired by".

In this case the Finns were "inspired by" the German Schwertfeger, Compare the small size Kakola (top and left) to the Schwertfeger, they are extremely close in both the mechanism, key style and general design if you disregard the linkage. Imitation or inspiration, that's the question.

PaulJDavies 28 Apr 2020

#17

Hiatt Nipper probably produced under license.

Unknown / guest 28 Apr 2020

#18

PS the Hiatt nipper UK Registered Patent number is from 1914

BradD1 28 Apr 2020

#19

holstcollection wrote:
BradD1 wrote: ↑
Apr 27, 2020
holstcollection wrote:Imittions is a really great topic! Over time, clever inventions have been copied. -Some imitations are even better than the prototype and some are not.

In Finland, the Konpeja Voima was patented in 1928, the H&R Super handcuffs were patended in 1934. The story behind is still hidden in the shadows. Was the invention/patent paid for or was it stolen? We will probably never know.

What we do know is that the Finns were really good in imitating others inventions. In this case, I would say the imitations are better made than the originals.
Below we have three Tower imitations. Unlike the original Tower, these seem to be more handcrafted and not casted as Tower.

The first one out is a Tower DL imitation with an unusual bar instead of links. Unlike Tower DL, these are only single locking.

The next set is a Tower Bottom Key imitaion. These are made of steel and brass and much more sturdy then the original Towers.

The last set is another Tower DL imitaion. These are double locking. They differ from the original Tower not only by the position of the key hole
but also as there is a left and right hand cuff,
And a Mattatuck key-#3.

Brad, the key is also similar to the Finnish Kakola key. they also have protruding bits, just like Mattatuck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Those must have been a nightmare to keep in stock! Do see a lot of broken ones around or are they all jammed in a cuff somewhere?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 28 Apr 2020

#20

This must be the maker that sold these to the S.A. French Company

djhalfdead 28 Apr 2020

#21

What book is that, Mark? Dont think I have that one yet?
-Richard Knip-

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 28 Apr 2020

#22

Joe Giunta's patent book. You must have it by now. If not, get it!
How is that for marketing?
(I always support guys who share the same birthday)

Paul 29 Apr 2020

#23

Other way round Mark. SA French were the Patent holder 1892 as you have shown. Hiatt just Registered the design for UK purposes.

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs 29 Apr 2020

#24

Hi Paul
From what info I thought was true, it was that French only sold police supplies but never manufactured anything.
The design and patent were French's but if he did not make them, who did? I am asking this in regards to the ones sold in the US.

I have 2 chain nippers from S.A. French and they are nearly identical the one not pictured is marked "Made in Germany" and this one seems to be US made.
French commissioned these to be made and sold by the firm, but I just can't find out who or where the factory or factories was.

Unknown / guest 29 Apr 2020

#25

Here is the German S.A. French Twister.
The workmanship is actually more intricate on the US version when compared to the German one.
I would have figured that the reverse would have been the case.
Who made them?

Matt3114 29 Apr 2020

#26

Mark

I have been researching Samuel Alden French for many years and like yourself I have found no information about who actually made his patented products. What I have found was that he was born in October, 1856 in New York State (possibly New Jersey). From 1885 through 1895 his business address was 400 Broome Street (NYC), This address became the home of the New York City Police Department's Training Academy in 1929. From 1896 through 1925 the business address was 108 West 28th. Street in NYC. French's business was originally started in 1883 when he had a partner, Jasper Cairns, and the business was called Cairns & French. Cairns had originally started his own business in 1851. The same year they started they issued a 34 page catalog stating they are manufacturers and dealers in police equipment. In 1885 the City Directory for New York lists him as Military Goods. French died on June 5, 1926. The Directory of American Military Goods Dealers & Makers (1995) states in part that, "In its last years French was extensively manufacturing police equipment just as the firm of Cairns & Bro turned to fireman's equipment. In French's case there was always some manufacture of military items such as insignia and badges. The buttons which bear the French name were made in Waterbury, but the firm did specialize in stamping capability" You may know that Waterbury, Connecticut was the home to major button makers such as Scovill and the Waterbury Button Company. The 1896 S.A. French Police Goods catalog is the only one I have found that advertises a Bean Single Leg-Iron with chain loop and Bean Single Hand-Cuff with chain loop.