Matt3114
#1There existed a publication for police departments that circulated throughout the United Sates because it included photos of wanted and missing people. It was called The Detective and was published from 1885 through at least 1949. It is of interest to restraint collectors because it also carried ads for handcuffs, nippers and leg irons. In fact it often was the only publication to carry ads for some of the most rare restraints. One issue which was published somewhere between 1906 and 1909 carried an ad for the Hercules Nipper. The description that went with the illustration of this nipper read, "Opens automatically. When both bars of handle are grasped firmly and brought together the nipper closes on and holds securely the wrist of the prisoner. By mail, prepaid $2.50. P.C. Holland, Sole Agt. 6233 Cottage Grove ave., Chicago. P.C. Holland was the publisher of The Detective. That this ad exists tells us that this nipper was manufactured, yet I know of no collector who actually has one. The nipper was patented on October 2, 1906 (832,143) by Alfonso Mercer of Norfolk, Virginia. Mercer was a machinist by trade and was a prolific inventor. His patents started in 1892 for a Magazine Gun, (a lever acting rifle), a Rapid Fire Breech Mechanism,, his Policeman's Nippers, an Amusement Device, a Lock, a Rifle, and a Firearm (with a large capacity magazine) in 1919. The large number of weapons patents he received were likely related to his work with the Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army at the National Armory in Springfield, Mass. When Mercer was issued his patent he assigned one half to John F. East and one half to the Southern Novelty and Amusement Company, both of Norfolk Virginia. The Southern Novelty and Amusement Company was established and incorporated on August 6, 1906. It is likely that this was the company that manufactured Mercer's nipper. If anyone has one or even a different advertisement for one please let me know.
Matt
Matt