charles guiteau replica cuff

I have a replica McColl Charles Guiteau handcuff that I'm wanting to sell.  However one side has a problem, I can't seem to get it to open.  Is there any part inside that could be seized or broken etc.  Don't know what the inside looks like.  

Would like to have it fully working before I part with it.

Thanks for your time in reading this and any help would be appreciated.

Unfortunately, i am not familiar with how the locking mechanism on the cuff actually works. But, once you get it sorted out and have a price in mind, i would like to have a chance at purchasing it. My email is iambiohazard@yahoo.com   Thank you!
-Richard Knip-

You can try emailing Ian McColl directly at    imccoll@dcsi.net.au

I am possibly interested in purchasing the cuff. Contact me at gmmapp72@gmail.com

Obviously, Richard contacted you first, but if that doesn't work out, email me.

Ian's Guiteau handcuff does not really have an "inside".  All the action is in the two bolts, one threaded inside the other.
If you can not get it open, my guess is that it was simply tightened a bit too tight when it was closed.  So all it requires for opening is courage. Courage to apply more pressure to open it.  I say courage, because more pressure will result in it opening or total destruction, which ever comes first.

Joe

I think I’m correct in saying that Ian’s instructions said that the inner bolt must be unscrewed first then the outer one. In all probably the bolts were over tightened and that is the source of the problem but we really need Ian to wade in on this.

Spencer

Ian is easy enough to contact if someone has a question about one of his cuffs. Richard already posted his email address above. But being that it's a Guiteau cuff, I'd bet that the fault is not in the cuff, that it was most likely over-tightened as Joe and Spencer have already suggested. 

Whatever has been over-tightened, can usually be loosened if it's done carefully. I'm sure that a few of us would bid on them in their current condition.

Gentlemen, I'd like to thank you all for your assistance. I have now opened the handcuff successfully. It was as stated, over tightened. Will let you know when its ready for sale. Thank you again.

Good to hear that the cuff was just over tightened! Great job to Joe Lauher for thinking of that fix! Ive had that happen with several cuffs that use screw keys. I have no idea, why anyone would think you have to torque those locking bolts, down so tight? Just a slight turn, until it stops, is enough to hold the cuff "locked" closed. Thank you for the update on the Guiteau cuff!
-Richard Knip-