Cuff of the Day for May 2. Adams

Today I would like to start a series of posting devoted to specific manufacturers.  Together we can
create a series of galleries of pictures representing all aspects of a particular company's products.  There are lots of
major companies from around the world that we can feature.  Let us try to create a resource than will be useful in
the future for all collectors.

If you have a suggestion of a particular company you would like us to cover send me an email at: lauher@handcuffs.org or use
the Forum Message system. 

Today we will start with Adams handcuffs.  I have a bunch of these, but I will start with showing an early Adams.
This one has the cuffs connected by a chain similar to those found on Phelps handcuffs.  It has no markings.
Joe

I have a few Adams. Sadly, no leg irons, yet. Of course, there are not that many L.I. to go around! LOL! I have the pat applied for model and the patented model. Followed by a completely unmarked pair.
-Richard Knip-

Nice set Joe, is this the 10 notch version?

I only have two, the "patent applied for" (15 notches) and the June patent (8 notches). Both in very good condition though.

Lars

Lars - the Adams with a chain is an 8 notch version.

Here is a broken Adams that someone turned into a cut away.
The lock is about as simple as they come. But it is a pretty secure cuff for its day.

My addition to the Adams Family of cuffs is this unusual one with a swivel.
I see other postings with 15 notches but this "Pat applied for" version has 16.

Here is an Adams cuff with notches instead of the usual milled bows.  There have been many variations in the number of locking mills on the bows.  I have one that has 8 on one bow and 10 on the other.

Here are my Adams leg irons with original key.

Two Leg Irons so far. Definitely one of the most desirable cuffs in existence. Thank you, Fred and Ron, for posting them.  

Ron, you need to show your beautiful Adams with connecting bar.
I might make the argument about your leg iron being an original key.
I have no patent papers that show what it actually looks like but I have seen quite a few Adams cuffs for sale with the type of key that Fred shows in his upper right cuff in his above photo.
In my mind, I am certain that these are what the originals look like.

As Ron pointed out some Adams cuffs have grooves cut across the bow instead of the normal milled notches.
I think this was sometimes done as a fix for cuffs that were manufactured with notches that were not cut deep enough.
With notches cut too shallow the cuff would not properly lock.  Cutting grooves would be a quick fix that could be done
after the cuff was assembled.

The cuff below has shallow notches on one side and grooves cut on the other.

Yet another leg iron.

I posted pictures of my Adams Bar Cuff in a previous post of this series.  Take a good look at the construction of the bar.  This is probably a unique item and one of my favorites.  

A nicely plated Adams handcuff with the June 17, 1862 patent date only.




And another example of an Adams on a swivel.

I do not have any Adams cuffs, but even if I had three wishes and could have my pick of what has been shown, it would be a very hard choice.

Joe, the last Adams leg irons you posted seem to have an excellent and mild patina.  The way these quality metal objects last for ages and only gain character, its impressive. There looks to be a doubly long link on one side? Do you think that was a repair?

The brass Wells Fargo Adams posted by Gordon is very nice looking as well.  The elongated center link is a bit of a fancy touch.  So many of these look custom from the factory, or at least there looks to be above average variation set to set, what with the notch counts, the linkages, etc. These were made in the late 1800's, I believe?  Everything would have been made by hand I suppose.  Seems like they are almost crafted rather than produced!