Bean versions

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Lars

What a great collection of Bean cuffs! I have not seen such a complete set. Congratulations.

As for further variations, the main variations that you have not included would be the Hiatt versions. Stan shows them pretty well on his CD.

And could I ask if you know the mass of each cuff? It would be very intersting to know the mass of the eight cuffs in your comparison pictures. In the Bean advertisements they classified the cuffs according to their weight in ounces so it would be interesting to see how yours compare.


Joe

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

There is also a BARREL KEY Bean Patrolman with the Nov. 28' 82 date on the bow near the lockcase. It does not have the Iver Johnson date or name on it, and a solid key Bean Detective with the patent date on the bow inside the lockcase.
Stan

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

THANK YOU LARS!!!!! I recently emailed Joe Tanner asking the same question, how many versions are there? He replied with my needed information, but seeing your post made it all so clear, and added information. Thanks for such a great post!
Now we've all got some collecting to do. I love the photos too.

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Thanks John, I'm happy you liked the post. There might be more versions that I don't know about. Our fellow collector Gordon Gluff has written an article about Bean. I'm sure Joe is going to publish it at handcuffs.org

Stan; I still miss the really rare pieces like Bean Hiatt and Bean Giant. But one day... In the meantime I have to enjoy them through your CD.
/Lars

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

There are 2 different Hiatt Bean cuffs that i know of. One has the locking buttons and one does not. Both are pictured on my CD. They are harder to find than the Bean Giant.
Stan

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Another variation would be the chain link version. I have one with 3 round links and another with 12 twisted links. mark
p.s. my Hiatt Bean has the lock release buttons

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Lars, what a great article! This should definitely be in the 2006 Annual, along with some of the informed responses.

Joe???

Brad

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Thanks Brad,

Actually, the credit should be given to Gordon Gluff who kindly sent me his article about the Bean range and inspired me to this post. He knows much more about Bean and their history than I do, I only shot a few pictures and put the information together in a simple way based on Gordon's facts.

Weights

Now I have bought a balance and all of my cuffs have been carefully weighed. I got very confused to some unexpected results in that way equal cuffs have different weights. The parenthetical numbers indicate weights of duplicate handcuffs in my collection. For some reason the Bean Prison (thin link heavy size) weight 7 gram MORE than the Bean Prison (heavy link big size). The result should have been the opposite! As a friend of mine said; "I'm still confused but at a higher level".

/Lars

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

I have got some mails concerning the contradictive weight results. Just to be sure, I did it all over all again. -With the same results! I have no explanations but this is the fact.

/Lars

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

One thing that bothers me about the Bean cuffs is the "T" mark that appears on the hinge of many of the cuffs. The mark looks like it has been applied with a hammer and punch.

My own theory is that after 1900 or so most of the Bean cuffs passed through the hands of Tower & Lyons owned by Union hardware and that the T stands for Tower.

Lars. Could you tell us which of the cuffs in your nice picture have this "T" mark?

Anyone else have any idea about the "T". Maybe it stands for "trouble."

Joe

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Joe,

Your theory sounds reasonable. The following of my cuffs have the “T” stamping:

Bean Detective
Bean Patrolman standard hinge size
Bean Prison small size heavy link

Bean Detective, duplicate
Bean Prison small size heavy link, duplicate

/Lars

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Lars, I like old handcuffs to be well cleaned personally, like your photos show, although I know some people prefer "patina". How do you get your handcuffs so well cleaned, please? andrew

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Hi Andrew,
The condition of vintage handcuffs is a matter of taste. Since I'm a kind of perfectionist I prefer cuffs in as good condition possible. The cuffs shown have been upgraded two or three times and I prefer to pay more money to get a set in great condition. The unplated handcuffs are just like how I bought them and the plated ones have been given just a ligth polish with AUTOSOL to clean up the dirt.
Lars

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Hi Lars,

which of the different AUTOSOL products (see also http://www.autosol.de/) do you use for cleaning your cuffs?

I always used STAHLFIX (http://www.scjohnson.de/produkte/prd_ku ... hlfix.html) but your results look better.

Regards,
Guenter aka Atame
www.atame.info

Through the years I have gathered a great number of Bean handcuffs including Iver Johnson and Lovell. When comparing them carefully I have noticed some very interesting differences:

*There are three different sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison.
*The sizes of the bow are similar for Detective and Patrolman.
*There are two different sizes of links, thin and heavy.
*Bean Prison is manufactured in a “small” and a “big” size.
*Bean Detective and Bean Prison with a thin link in combination with the
“big size” are probably the rarest Bean versions.


Compairson between Bean Detectice (top) and Bean Patrolman (standard version)


Compairson between Bean Prison heavy link "small" size (top) and thin link "big size".


From left to right: Bean Detective, Bean Patrolman standard hinge size, Bean Patrolman heavy hinge size, Iver Johnson Patrolman, Bean Prison (thin link heavy size), Bean Prison (heavy link small size), Bean Prison (heavy link big size) and Iver Johnson Prison.


Three sizes of hinges; Detective, Patrolman and Prison

Anyone having any additional information about more versions?

Lars

www.holstcollection.com

Click to expand...

Hi Guenter,

I'm using the Autosol EDEL-CHROMGLANZ, it's a great product for cleaning up the plating. I also use it to protect all chrome parts on my motorcycles and on my car.

Cheers,

Lars