New member

Hello dear collectors,
FIrst of all please i apologize for my poor vocabulary or my language mistakes...

I'm french handcuffs' collector since +/- 15 years and my interest is only on french handuffs and official french law enforcement handcuffs (for collecting) but all interest me as knowing new things!
I received my 167th pair of handcuffs yesterday, it is a very small collection but i would be happy to answer your questions and giving you more informations you could need about french handcuffs.

Registering here today, my thoughts are for Mr. Jean-Michel ROBIN too, because i was in contact with him for some years about french handcuffs, and i'm proud today to have many of his ex ones in my collection, that i bought before he passed away... (last year i let a message as a guest in this forum to salute his memory)...
So i decided to join you, dear collectors, because beeing a french collector gives some "alone feelings"... i know that we are not numerous here and unfortunately it is a subject of collection which remains "taboo" in our country, and without any knowledge nor any contact between french collectors...

I will be happy and honored to share my meager knowledge with you, and learn new ones from you!
Best regards,
Nicolas.

Welcome.

Welcome aboard Nick, some of the most knowledgeable and expert collectors in the world visit and contribute on this site and I’m sure they will help with any serious questions you may have.

Spencer

Hello Nicolas and welcome to the Forum!
 
As you say, there are not many (known) French restraint collectors. There was one French collector who was quite active here 15-20 years ago.
 
I also knew JM Robin as I was supporting him with photos and information when he made his books. I also met him several times. It’s for sure a pity he passed, much too young.
 
You say you are specialized in French restraints only. Very good to have a certain direction. I’m not focused in French restraints but I have a few. Please post some photos of your collection!
 
Here are some of mine.
 
Lars
 
www.holstcollection.com

Welcome Nicolas!

Welcome Nicolas. Being a new member myself I know how it feels to get a warm welcome here.  The members are a friendly and congenial group who will make you feel at home, answer your questions and show genuine interest in you and your contributions.  Unlike Lars I currently have only one set of  French cuffs in my collection. We all would enjoy seeing some photos of yours.

Tom

Welcome aboard Nicolas! Its great to see that you are well versed in French cuffs! I have a few in my collection, maybe 20 or so. The french cuffs have been some of the harder cuffs for many of us to get a hold of. I hope you enjoy your stay on the forum and learn many things about cuffs from around the world! Here are a few French pieces that I have. Or, so I have been told that they are all from France?
-Richard Knip-

Welcome from California, Nickolas!
Welcome to the forum!
We hope you will become a long time member here.
I too met  Mr. Jean-Michel Robin at the European Handcuff Collectors conference on several occasions.
I would buy many of his books and send them out to collecting friends in the States to save them some money,
The 4th book eluded me as I got quite sick in Paris and missed the convention.
I am wondering if you are in touch with his wife or anyone who might be able to sell any remaining books.


I have the usual French cuffs but my special interest are the above Circle Cuffs.
Maybe you can tell whether these are from France, Belgium or elsewhere.
Most have been sent from France and I assume that these were made not too far away.
If you know who made these and/or can date them, I would appreciate any information you can provide.

Again, I hope you can share what you know and that you enjoy what we have going on here!

Bienvenue Nicolas!

Hello dear collectors, and many thanks for your warm welcome!

To answer some questions asked before, unfortunately i only knew Mr. ROBIN by exchanging emails and i have no idea who could sale his books since his passed away.
As for the different models of handcuffs, i don't own any as old as what you posted in response, and neither do my few contacts in the police force.
Those models you posted are really very impressive i had never seen them before, it may be hard to find them nowadays!

The oldest models of restraints i have are the 1885's model "poucettes" (thumb cuffs) with chain of conduct and padlocks, issued to the French "Gendarmerie Nationale".
I am going to take advantage of the weekend to take some pictures to begin to show you some items of my collection.

I wish you all a very good end of the week, best regards.
Nicolas.