Iver Johnson vs Bean 1st Model

Hi all,

I can use some help on this one.
I am not sure what I have here.

Handcuff 1 is a Bean 1st Model before they went with the flat key in Model 2.  It is dated Nov.28, 82 on the bow, so we know this is the Bean patent date, making this a Bean.
Handcuff 2 is stamped Iver Johnson Co - Boston on the clevis.
Both cuffs have more of an oval shape to them when closed and are the same size lengthwise when next to each other.

Handcuff 3 has a shorter clevis like a detective model (pic 2) but is almost a half inch longer than the other two cuffs which can be attributed to a more circular shape when locked.
The key hole is different that the other two and had much tighter tolerances.  The original keys for #1 and 2 interchange but will not enter the key hole on #3.
#3 has no markings anywhere.

The keyhole is similar to some of the Towers I have seen.  Large keyholes and some really tight keyholes.   I realize that in the day, much of this was handmade and it is easier to make the keyhole larger if the key is tight versus fitting and filing the key or keys for smooth operation. 

If anyone has a similar cuff or knows or even has a guess on who made this, I would appreciate hearing from you.

   The last handcuffs made  by Iver Johnson were barrel key models stamped
Iver Johnson Co Boston on the clevis. They were Patrolman ~ 17 oz  and
Prison ~ 22 oz. Strange that the last models made are just like the first
models made.  Handcuffs and source of information Ray McKee.
  I hope this helps.

In Gordon's above quote (via Ray McKee)...I've added the words below, in Red - just to clarify the statement:

"Strange that the last (Iver-Johnson) models made are just like the first models Bean made"

btw--Gordon produced an excellent 4 pp. manuscript several years ago - on "Bean vs. Iver-Johnson Handcuffs".

Mark L. - I recognize my handwriting on the white key tag for your Bean-Barrel key handcuffs....you must have bought the one I had at the time.

In regards to Mark's specific inquiry:  His UNmarked barrel-key handcuff (the 3rd one - in the top photo) certainly does have a thinner keyhole area...I'd like to know myself - if it is considered a Bean or an Iver-Johnson?

Yes, Joe,
I got this from you in the parking lot at the Cannon Convention.
That was a great day of course but allowing me to purchase this cuff made it all that much better.
I believe I was unaware of the Bean 1st Model at the time and this rare item was gladly accepted to the collection as well as some others that fine day.
The tight keyway in the other cuff is different from all the other Ivers and 1st Beans I have ever seen.  It may be a mystery for a while unless, the 1st model Bean was only made in 1 size.  If so, then Ray and Gordon's theory about it being an Iver, will have some merit.
I will look thru my library and see if I have Gordon's study on the subject.  I believe I have a copy of it.

I hope you are well and maybe we can hook up next Febuary....it has been too long.  A question on the side:  have you ever driven thru Laurel Canyon?
I discovered this last November and had fun seeing the iconic houses where all the rock stars wrote their music and hung out.
I MUST go back for more!  

Would it be possible to get Gordon's paper published on the title page for handcuffs.org with the other manuscripts? I think it would be a great addition to the collection that is already there? Thoughts?
-Richard Knip-

Mark: 
 Sure, I've driven along Laurel Canyon Blvd. many times....but never on a self-guided celebrity/musician house-hunting tour.

There has been just one exception, of course.......

https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2021/0 ... aurel.html

See you in February.

  Joe
           There was no Bean company.  Bean handcuffs were most likely made by Iver Johnson and others.
                               Gordon
                                                            



  

I have no expertise on these at all but I have some questions. Mark, have you tried a Tower key in the cuff to see if it goes in at all?. Did we ever find out why many of the flat key models are stamped with a T?
Some flat key model Clevis' seem shorter. It would not surprise me to see parts from model one overlap with production of model 2. If Tower were involved it might explain the keyway as you hinted at. I do not think it is a Hiatt version of the Bean because that was a flat key. Paul

John P. Lovell also made Bean cuffs.

Matt

Joe Fox wrote: ↑

Aug 30, 2021

Mark:  Sure, I've driven along Laurel Canyon Blvd. many times....but never on a self-guided celebrity/musician house-hunting tour.
There has been just one exception, of course.......
https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2021/0 ... aurel.html
See you in February.

Yes, I walked from Pat Culliton's house to Houdini's house but had NO idea what Laurel Canyon was all about at that time.
Houdini should have had a guitar and he could claim that he started it all.
On John Cox's Houdini site, he mentioned that a historical marker was recently erected at the location.


This looks like someone spent some time and expense with this.


I plan on visiting the area again the day before or after the Feb event.  I will be better prepared to check out more of the historical sites. I love this sort of thing.  Some years back, I went to the Echo Park area and found the lengthy stairways in both the Laurel and Hardy's "Music Box" film and the Stooges "Ache in Every Stake" movie.  You are fortunate to have all these cool film locations around you.

I just found Gordons treatise and have not been able to study it yet.  I know that there is some good info in it that I hope will shed more light on the subject.

I have a pretty good selection of Bean/Iver Johnson/Lovell cuffs, also two Hiatt Bean.
 
There are many variations among them. They can’t just be separated by Detective, Patrolman and Prison as there are more variations. At some points in the production, they probably mixed up pieces. That would explain thin link on a Prison model.
 
Here are the basic differences:
 
1.     Size of clevis
2.     Size of bows
3.     Type of link
4.     The stampings
5.     Flat and round key

Paul,

The cuff in your photo is a Detective, judged from the size of the clevis. As you also mentioned the British Hiatt Bean, here is a comparison between a Hiatt Bean and a Bean Prison. As you can see, the shapes differ a lot. Also the keys somewhat differ. The Hiatt Bean takes a similar key but with a solid diamond shaped handle.

The Hiatt Bean came in two versions; one with a lock button on the top and one without.

Lars