The great Ian McColl does it again

Greetings,
I just wanted to give a shout out thank IAN for making me a perfect working screw key. I got a great deal on the cuffs but the key was a joke. My new screws in all the way flush to the lock case and works every time. Simply amazing, thank you Ian. What a deal too!

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Tough to find Dowlers now complete.

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I know Joe L is the expert on English cuffs. What are everyone's thoughts on when the Dowler light weight cuffs were made? I am not super knowledgeable on english restraints but chrome as I know was much later so I know this is a clue.

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According to the handcuff charts, in the first section of www.handcuffs.org , The Dowler Light weight (superintendent) came into production in the late 1800s. The "chrome" is actually nickel plating. Nickel plating had been a standard on cuffs for some time, before they were used on the Dowlers. Nickel plating is believed to have been invented in the early 1800s. The term "Superintendent" was used to described Hiatt's lightweight cuffs with a smaller chain link. It was meant to be carried by the Superintendent of the Police Department. You can tell the lighter weight cuffs, generally by the smaller swivel and the smaller chain links used in its construction. They will usually have 2 chain links, swivel, then 2 more chain links. Hiatt's matching cuffs for these are called the Model 101 and were considered their "Top of the Line" cuffs.

Here is a picture of one of my Dowler Superintendent style Darby Handcuffs from my collection. This particular pair is marked as "WDS." (Willian Dowler and Sons)
-Richard Knip-

Thank you Sir Richard,
The lock case tube is very different, I guess hence the lightweight model. Take care and happy cuff hunting!

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