S&W Date

Trying to find a time period for these.  The have..."pat's pending"  stamped on them as seen in the photo.

So, here is the big issue on dating S&W handcuffs. Unlike Peerless, Smith & Wesson didnt keep detailed records on the cuffs they sold. With a Peerless cuff, you can send pics and give them a serial number and most times, they can tell you the date the cuff was made and often who it was sold to. S&W, however, we can only give approx dates. The cuff you have is the Model 100 2nd model (pats Pending). The first model of the model 100 cuffs only had the double lock slot, milled out on the front of the cuff. It did not pass through both sides of the cuffs, as the 2nd model did. Yours is also stamped as being made in Springfield, Mass. We know that S&W started making handcuffs at the Houlton, Me location in 1979. The cuffs were being made at the Springfield, Mass location, prior to that. That would make your cuff the 2nd model.

The cuff that was prior to the Model 100, was the Model 90. The production of the model 90, ran into the late 1970s. Then the line was switched over to the model 100 cuff's design. Your cuff would have been made probably around 1978 or 1979.

David Teeters wrote 2 books. One was on the early Peerless handcuffs and one was on the early S&W handcuffs. He is also a member on this forum. He may jump in on here to add a comment or two. The info im giving is from one of his books. He was offering both of his book for sale on here, a while ago. They come in digital file PDF form.
-Richard Knip-

Thanks for the reply. Why does S&W put serial #s on their cuffs but not have any info on them?

That, I honestly do not know why? Its possible that they kept some records, for some time, but purge them after a while? David would be able to answer that better, im sure. I would imagine there would at least have to be production notes, somewhere? Saying when serial numbers from 1,000 to 20,000 were the first run done in 19??, etc. Its also possible, that Peerless is just more likely to help people seeking that type of information, but S&W doesnt offer that? I tried to contract S&W with a question on a cuff, when i was a younger collector. I was basically blown off by the person I talked to. It was rather disheartening, to me, at the time.
-Richard Knip-

Looking at their paperwork, it looks like they have a "limited Lifetime Warranty" against defective parts or workmanship. So, I suppose it wouldnt matter when the cuff was made or when it was purchased? They really wouldnt have to keep detailed records on their sales of them. Serial numbers could be being used for any possible recall notices or to verify how many they had made of a certain design, so far? Two reasons, that I see, they may use the serial number for.
-Richard Knip-

Can anyone give me some sort of value on each of these two cuffs? I am having a difficult time judging how old they are (or aren't). Any help would be appreciated.

So, It looks like you have a 1970s Model 90 on the left and a standard Model 100 set on the right. Neither are hard to find, nor very valuable. You can usually find a decent Model 100 for about $20 and a decent 1970s Model 90 for $25-$35. Hope that helps!
-Richard Knip-

Richard, 
thank you for your information, I appreciate you educating me.

One question about the M-100. What is the difference between that one and the M100 SB74? If you happen to know please.

I am not familiar with the M-100 SB74? Do you have a pic of the pair you are referring to, plz? Is it possible the SB74 was  initials and a number added by the previous user at some point with either engraving or a metal stamp of some type?
-Richard Knip-

Yep, I think your right. Officers number. Thanks!

I have recently accepted an offer and placed my order for these:

I think these look pretty much like the OP's cuffs? There's some other stamping on the bow I do not understand (NH1 I think) but they have the "PATS PENDING". Is there anything about the pats pending that makes them more valuable to own compared to a pair of M100 without it? Am I right thinking these are 1980s? @djhalfdead 

You are correct. The Pats Pending version of the M-100 came out in the late 1970s to early 1980s. As far as value, they really arent much more value than an early M-100 without a pats pending stamp. $30 to $35. A little more if you had an original box/keys with them. Now, overseas, they may bring a bit more? Here in the states though, they are pretty common. The Pats Pending stamp on a cuff with the one sided double lock slot can bring a little bit more and is a little harder to come by. Those can bring about $35 to $50, depending.

The cuff that you have purchased is technically the 2nd version of the M-100. The First version being the set with the pats pending stamp and the one sided double lock slot. The third version of the M-100, removed the pats pending stamp. I hope that helps sort things out for you!
-Richard Knip-

Thanks. I noticed prices do vary based on where they are being sold vs where they are plentiful. I am in the UK and any US cuffs are not super common. Now and then we see a pair. Just here and there. Since someone got out of the selling biz on eBay it's been quite dry for US stuff in the UK. But a new seller High godess has started to see the odd one, though at higher prices. I can't recall seeing any pats pending before on eBay but I could have missed the odd pair that did show up. I feel like at £44 I got a good bargain. I wanted an M100 for a long time, since I have the modern M100-1 but having pats pending is just a nice bonus for me.

Smith & Wesson started manufacturing their Model 100 Patent Pending Version 1 with the double lock slot on the keyway side only and also the Model 100 Patent Pending Version 2 with the double lock slot on both sides in their Springfield, MA. plant prior to moving their handcuff manufacturing to their plant in Houlton, ME. in 1979-1980. These did not have M-100 stamped on them.
Shown here is Version 1 in two different packaging and also a blued example.
Dave

Here is a Pat. Pend. Version 2 manufactured in Springfield, MA. with the double lock slot on both sides. Still not marked M-100.
Dave

Here are two Pat. Pend. Version 2, manufactured in Houlton, ME., one not marked M-100 and one marked M-100 which I believe is the last of the Pat. Pending Model 100’s made.
Dave

Thanks for sharing those pictures. That is very interesting to know the variances. I attached a picture from eBay of the ones I will be getting. I guess it's an early version 2 of the M100. It does not have the model number seemingly stamped on either side.