Question about AMERICAN MUNITIONS CUFFS

I have seen many American Munition cuffs on eBay that said that they have a "solid key". Does anyone have a pair that they are positive was factory made that way or are these just cuffs that have had the key post remove or broken out? If this is true does anyone know they dates these were made?

Thanks, Ron

Hi Ron,

Both the handcuffs and the leg irons are manufactured with solid bit keys. However, I don't know the years of manufacture of these early models.

Lars

www-holstcollection.com

I have seen many American Munition cuffs on eBay that said that they have a "solid key". Does anyone have a pair that they are positive was factory made that way or are these just cuffs that have had the key post remove or broken out? If this is true does anyone know they dates these were made?

Thanks, Ron

Hi.
I am not absolute on this, but I believe the U.S. Navy was buying these solid post version cuffs up to the war years. They probably went into production with the standard police barrel key just after the war as their sales volume decreased and was marketing them more towards law enforcement than for military applications.

I have seen many American Munition cuffs on eBay that said that they have a "solid key". Does anyone have a pair that they are positive was factory made that way or are these just cuffs that have had the key post remove or broken out? If this is true does anyone know they dates these were made?

Thanks, Ron

I also have a set of the American Munitions leg irons that use the solid bit key. In addition, I have 2 sets of American Munitions leg irons that use a barrel key, and are variations of each other. One set has a heavier chain like most do, but the other set has about a 20% lighter chain and the cuffs have spun rivets on them. They appear factory made in all respects. Is anyone familiar with the latter? They're the only set I've seen like this. All the other sets I've seen have the rivets ground down smooth.

Phil

I have seen many American Munition cuffs on eBay that said that they have a "solid key". Does anyone have a pair that they are positive was factory made that way or are these just cuffs that have had the key post remove or broken out? If this is true does anyone know they dates these were made?

Thanks, Ron

Thank you for responding to my question. I still haven't been able to get Lar's picture. I don't know if it is because of my firewall, my server, or Bill Gates; but I'll keep trying.

From what I have found it appears that the key is very similar to the old style Peerless keys. Am I right? Unfortunately many of those I have seen advertised say they do not have an original key but that a modern handcuff key will open them. I think these must have broken pegs and may be a bit of false advertising.

Question for Phil: Your barrel key leg irons - Is one manufactured in Chicago and one in Fond Du Lac, WI? Just a thought.

I have seen many American Munition cuffs on eBay that said that they have a "solid key". Does anyone have a pair that they are positive was factory made that way or are these just cuffs that have had the key post remove or broken out? If this is true does anyone know they dates these were made?

Thanks, Ron

You are correct, Ron 2. The ones made in Wisconsin have the spun rivets and a thinner chain. The ones made in Chicago have a heavier chain and ground down rivets. They also have a 'B' stamped on the bows.

Phil

I have seen many American Munition cuffs on eBay that said that they have a "solid key". Does anyone have a pair that they are positive was factory made that way or are these just cuffs that have had the key post remove or broken out? If this is true does anyone know they dates these were made?

Thanks, Ron

Hi Ron,

I have mailed you the picture. If you don't get it, check your spam filter.

Cheers,

Lars

I have seen many American Munition cuffs on eBay that said that they have a "solid key". Does anyone have a pair that they are positive was factory made that way or are these just cuffs that have had the key post remove or broken out? If this is true does anyone know they dates these were made?

Thanks, Ron

I still don't know why I can't view some of the pictures from your web site. I now see that the key has a larger diameter than the old Peerless keys, has a shorter bit, and a longer tip. Will a modern barrel key fit in the key-way and open these cuffs?

I have seen many American Munition cuffs on eBay that said that they have a "solid key". Does anyone have a pair that they are positive was factory made that way or are these just cuffs that have had the key post remove or broken out? If this is true does anyone know they dates these were made?

Thanks, Ron

Hi Ron,

I just can't understand why you can't view some of the pictures from web site. Anyone else having this problem?
/Lars