WHY?

Firstly, it's not a restoration, as they call it, because it was never like that in the first place.
Now it is something very different and has lost the patina created by soaking it in piss and cow dung for so long.
At least it's no longer trying to be a fake antique.
But why indeed!

Random comment left on the Youtube Video: 

" @williamfindspeople4341
4 years ago
Those are vintage civil war leg irons, handcuffs have only one link. The lock mechanism is what is known as a Turn-Key. The official name for those are called "Alligator Tooth Talisman". 1861 to 1865 they were later used in the West because no key lock was required. The idea of the swing through handcuff was invented in 1920 by George Carney. Made by Peerless. These are still used today."

YIKES!!!! LOL!
-Richard Knip-

Even more waste of time.
This guy took a fantastic $35 cuff (and rope) and skillfully enhanced it to fetch at least $12.95!
He probably spent that on chemicals and electricity.
Almost all the comments are from the most clueless.  

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/r ... ajaxhist=0

djhalfdead wrote: ↑

Jun 25, 2024

" @williamfindspeople4341
4 years ago
Those are vintage civil war leg irons, handcuffs have only one link. The lock mechanism is what is known as a Turn-Key. The official name for those are called "Alligator Tooth Talisman". 1861 to 1865 they were later used in the West because no key lock was required. The idea of the swing through handcuff was invented in 1920 by George Carney. Made by Peerless. These are still used today."

Richard,   I had to look up what the hell an Alligator Tooth Talisman is and after finding this 

( ), 

I still have NO idea!

I wonder if Houdini ever had a collection of Alligator Tooth Talismans in his basement.
If so, maybe I'll sell my collection to Murry (AKA Ian) and concentrate on having the largest Alligator Tooth Talisman collection in the Guiness book of records!

Bwahahaha!!!! Looks like its an item in a video game! This goofball got the description way wrong! This is from a game called "Red Dead Redemption. The Alligator Tooth Talisman can be purchased by turning in 3 items, one of them being the Civil War Handcuffs, and paying $40 to obtain the Talisman. Which, to me, looks like a bracelet adorned with Alligator Teeth. This guy really knows his handcuffs! LOL! What an idiot!
-Richard Knip-

Why?
Because he sees the value. He probably knows that they are now worth 10.00 and think about it, that 10.00 can almost buy 2 cups of Starbucks.  Genius, Im now going to use his techniques on my Berliners LOL

escapeguy wrote: ↑

Jun 30, 2024

Why?
Because he sees the value. He probably knows that they are now worth 10.00 and think about it, that 10.00 can almost buy 2 cups of Starbucks.  Genius, Im now going to use his techniques on my Berliners LOL

I wished that the Elias Richard cuff I got from you many years ago was restored by this guy before you got hold of them.
I would have offered you at least $35.00 and saved a bundle!

Wonder if he could Gold Plate your Waldens.