The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

E.R. Question

19 visible archived posts · 23 preserved total · topic ID 7943

Ariochmagician 29 May 2025

Was there anybody in his family who manufactured locks whose first name began with the letter S? I’m trying to decide on whether to buy a padlock that has “SR“ etched on the endcap. It is not the usual E. R. Stamping. And as far as I could tell, there were no other marks on the lock. Thanks for your help!

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Ian McColl 29 May 2025

All padlocks and shackles I have seen or worked on were stamped in the ouside edge of the shackle near the hinge. Any photos? The design of the padlocks was not unique to Rickards but a generic one. >> Michael Rickard was a whitesmith, someone who manufactured locks, hardware, guns, and small implements of unforged metal. Michael Rickard and his sons manufactured locks in Shepherdstown. Michael Rickard invented the screw lock, “a peculiar caliper shaped lock which can only be opened by screwing a key in place.”[1] The screw lock was used by the B&O Railroad for their switch locks. The B&O Railroad “was the first railroad in the United States to have locks made with railroad identification stamped into the metal.”[2] Most of these locks were made by Elijah Rickard. Michael Rickard also manufactured the handcuffs used by John Brown and the escutcheon of the great door at St. Peter’s Church in 1795.
[1] Lauher, Joseph. Elias Richards or Elijah Rickards. Forum on Handcuffs. September 15, 2007. Accessed July 08, 2017. http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... ah+Rickard.
[2] Civil War Era Baltimore and Ohio Iron Screw Key Lock by Rickard. rubylane.com. Accessed July 08, 2017. https://www.rubylane.com/item/27950-562 ... o-Railroad. <<

Ariochmagician 29 May 2025

This lock is similar to my other ER padlocks except a little cruder. I don’t have a picture because it’s still in the antique store. At first, I thought it was just one of the copies (of which I also have several), but the initials S. R. got me thinking that maybe someone in his family might have made it. There’s no markings where they usually are on ER locks. It’s only worth the asking price if it’s a member of the actual ER family of merchandise, otherwise it’s not worth buying. It has the same bulbous end caps but the shackle isn’t quite right. Close, but not enough.

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Ian McColl 30 May 2025

Won't the antique store allow photos?

Unknown / guest 03 Jun 2025

No photos?

Brainless 04 Jun 2025

Ian McColl wrote: ↑
Jun 03, 2025
No photos?

Ariochmagician 04 Jun 2025

No. Some places don’t allow photos.

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Ian McColl 05 Jun 2025

Ariochmagician wrote: ↑
Jun 04, 2025
No. Some places don’t allow photos.

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Hi, wow, that's not very customer oriented. I can see a security issue if you are taking photos of the other store stock or store lay out, but a single photo of one item? Can't you charm them with your magicans ways? Did you take any of your ER original keys and try them to see if they could indicate the same thread? (that's for getting back to this thread)

Unknown / guest 09 Jun 2025

Andrew, One clue for if it's an authentic Rickard lock is its spring. The ER cuffs and padlocks have a compression made of a rectangular material and not a round wire. In good light, you can see the spring thru the keyhole.

Gross 11 Jun 2025

#10

Ian McColl wrote: ↑
Jun 09, 2025
Andrew, One clue for if it's an authentic Rickard lock is its spring. The ER cuffs and padlocks have a compression made of a rectangular material and not a round wire. In good light, you can see the spring thru the keyhole.

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
A McColl curly Pube
Gross!

Ariochmagician 11 Jun 2025

#12

OK, so I went back to the shop, and it turns out that the no cameras thing. was an old policy. In answer to some questions, many antique shops and antique dealers have a rule prohibiting cameras for a variety of reasons. Some have been targeted by thieves, who used their videos to determine where the high value items were., others have people waving websites in their faces and demanding lower prices without even considering condition, etc. The point is, just like I respect the stores that have rules against bringing in food or drinks, I respect the rules of stores that ask to refrain from photographing. I’ve been friends with many of these folks for over 20 years, and none of my collections would’ve been possible without their help. Anyway, the padlock is about halfway through the video.

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Ian McColl 11 Jun 2025

#13

Can you tell me at what minute mark is the lock appears. Were you able to look at the spring?

oh the irony of not being about to photograph 1 (singular ) item , therefore not exposing all stock to the potential theft and respecting their anti lawless policy but now able to show to the world a panoramic view of what a goldmine they have.

I chuckle.

Ariochmagician 12 Jun 2025

#14

Why is it so hard for you to understand that some places do not want photographs taken of their merchandise and others don’t care? Do you complain when somebody says no food or drink in their bookstore? I really don’t understand the problem. I got the video, look for the lock.

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Ian McColl 12 Jun 2025

#15

Hi Andrew, I do understand why some places allow photos and some don't. I repeat I do understand, I don't know why you have an issue with this and have not thought about all or any other reasonong in purchasing methology.

If I saw a sign, ' No photos" I would approach the shop keeper and explain why I would like to take a photo of that item so I could identify and make an educated purchased. I would also add to that , that the informastion I could gain about their item would be provided back to them which could assist in a possible sale (if I didn't buy it) and that would always add to the kudos of the store for the added information provided by them in the descriptions of their item (or at least this one)

Its a win/win situation.

When I go into a shop to buy, I engage with the staff so I and they can get the best out of the interaction. With permission, I will get cartons opened so I can see and touch the item (if not on open display) and check out the whole thing.

Again, it a win/win.
Sorry you are so conditioned to conformity and rules. As you have now found out, the sign was an old one. Maybe it was just on display to be sold?

JERK 12 Jun 2025

#16

Jesus!
Arioch just explained that he won the respect and integrity of the shop owners who helped him out for 20 years and he wishes to live by the rules.
You on the other hand, can't understand common respect and honesty.

This is why people like Arioch and despise you.
You think you are so entitled to break the rules and do what you want at any cost.
Decent people abide by the bonds they create.

It matters little if the sign is old or new...it is posted. --- LIVE IT and LOVE IT!
Be the sign.

Ariochmagician 12 Jun 2025

#17

Well, the next time someone ignores your “no trespassing” sign don’t complain. Within 10 miles of me are no less than 70 antique shops, co-ops, malls, and flea markets. I’ve done business with hundreds of dealers all throughout the entire state. I simply respect their wishes. Maybe that’s how I was able to accumulate such varied collections. As a matter of fact, many of these people are good friends of mine, and within the collecting community around here we look out for each other. The point is I found a lock that might be an ER and it might not. So I posted the information I had here when I had it and I updated it when the time came. If anyone has any information about this lock, please post it here. If you have problems with the policies of specific Antique dealers , don’t shop in their stores. There happens to be an Antique Dealer at one of my favorite flea markets who has been trying to sell an “Alcatraz” ball and chain that’s obviously a replica for years. When I offered my advice as to what he actually had, he became very irate and so I don’t bother him anymore. Another was adamant that his 1980’s Peerless cuffs were “Civil War”, even when presented with evidence to the contrary. Fine. I don’t force them to read the Handcuff Annuals, the Locksmith Ledgers, the other guide books, or this site. But these are exceptions. Countless other antique dealers ask my opinion on cuffs, Magic, and theater. Just like I ask their opinion when contemplating a purchase in a field that I’m unfamiliar with. I just find it astonishing and disturbing that so much time is wasted on non-handcuff subjects on a site that’s supposed to be about them. If this lock turns out to be some sort of unknown ER, and the price is right, maybe I’ll buy it. If not, there’s no shortage of places around here to search. I asked because I don’t know the answer. Another friend of mine in one of the malls has an ER padlock, but he wants more than I want to pay, yet still reasonably priced, and I told him that. I already have two of that size so it’s there for another’s collection. And that’s fine.
And all this because I asked a question about some initials on a lock.

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Unresolved image reference ↗

Don't worry about it 12 Jun 2025

#18

Ariochmagician wrote: ↑
Jun 12, 2025
Well, the next time someone ignores your “no trespassing” sign don’t complain. Within 10 miles of me are no less than 70 antique shops, co-ops, malls, and flea markets. I’ve done business with hundreds of dealers all throughout the entire state. I simply respect their wishes. Maybe that’s how I was able to accumulate such varied collections. As a matter of fact, many of these people are good friends of mine, and within the collecting community around here we look out for each other. The point is I found a lock that might be an ER and it might not. So I posted the information I had here when I had it and I updated it when the time came. If anyone has any information about this lock, please post it here. If you have problems with the policies of specific Antique dealers , don’t shop in their stores. There happens to be an Antique Dealer at one of my favorite flea markets who has been trying to sell an “Alcatraz” ball and chain that’s obviously a replica for years. When I offered my advice as to what he actually had, he became very irate and so I don’t bother him anymore. Another was adamant that his 1980’s Peerless cuffs were “Civil War”, even when presented with evidence to the contrary. Fine. I don’t force them to read the Handcuff Annuals, the Locksmith Ledgers, the other guide books, or this site. But these are exceptions. Countless other antique dealers ask my opinion on cuffs, Magic, and theater. Just like I ask their opinion when contemplating a purchase in a field that I’m unfamiliar with. I just find it astonishing and disturbing that so much time is wasted on non-handcuff subjects on a site that’s supposed to be about them. If this lock turns out to be some sort of unknown ER, and the price is right, maybe I’ll buy it. If not, there’s no shortage of places around here to search. I asked because I don’t know the answer. Another friend of mine in one of the malls has an ER padlock, but he wants more than I want to pay, yet still reasonably priced, and I told him that. I already have two of that size so it’s there for another’s collection. And that’s fine.
And all this because I asked a question about some initials on a lock.

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Click to expand...

We are sorry that you have to explain your position here.
I speak for a few of us who are tired of his bullying as demonstrated to you about a very simple issue.
A few of us discuss this problem privately and we know that the problem isn't you.
You don't owe him or any of us your explanation. Right is right and he is wrong.
He simply does not know about common decency or is just that ignorant. Maybe just dumb, arrogant and stupid.

He has bullied, bothered, ripped off, used the foulest language, berated and annoyed every single person on this site.
Trust us when we say that you are known to have high standards and integrity and proving your position is unnecessary since we all know that the McColl problem plages all of us.

Unresolved image reference ↗

Problem boy 12 Jun 2025

#20

Troll spoting wrote: ↑
Jun 12, 2025
p

p = Problem Child

Ian's ladyparts doctor 12 Jun 2025

#22

To: Arioch, please don't pay numbnuts any more attention. It's not worth it.
As one of the resident volunteer doctors here treating Mr. Mentalcase, I can vouch McCooch has some serious sand in his grundle and a lack of friends. I can also vouch that you have a very nice collection of cuffs, locks, magic related items and super cool general antiques from visiting your home several times. That generosity you extend to fellow collectors is second to none! I 100% agree, you would not have been able to amass your collection with being mccollike towards friends & antique dealers. Keep doing what you're doing! THANK YOU!

To Mr. Mentalcase, please up your dosages of Midol & Vagisil