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May 24, 2012

E Cotterill Acme "B" Padlock

These are very nice padlocks.

Very Rare E Cotterill Acme "B" padlock and two keys. Cotterill's padlocks are greatly prized by collectors and very rare. It is very sturdy and heavy (700gm.) and is nearly 4.5 inches tall closed. It bears the marks E Cotterill and Co. manufacturer, Acme Lock, Birmingham. Both keys are also also marked Cotterills Birmingham Patent Acme B. It is in good working condition - see pictures for condition. The Escutcheon cover is held in place by a sprung button on the baseplate, operated by the end of the key. The lock has been in my possession for nearly 40 years and was originally used on the entrance of a famous Leeds silversmith's premises. - eBay (27 March 2012)
This padlock had a high bid of 478 British Pounds/$769.44 (Plus Shipping).
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May 23, 2012

Clarke Combination Lock - "Navy Ordnance"

The interesting thing about this Clarke Combination Padlock is the Navy marking.

"Clarke Combination Lock Co., Baltimore, MD - Pat'd Feb. 4, 1873, June. 15. 1875, Reissued Feb. 29. 1876, Navy Ordnance" on lock face. The lock works, has old hand written operational instructions with right combination. Lock shows use, dings to brass, but works easily. 4" x 2.25" - eBay (9 May 2012)
This padlock had a 'Buy-it-Now' price of $900 (Plus $6.95 Shipping).
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May 21, 2012

ROMER LEG IRONS

Here is a great example of a set of Romer Leg Irons.

Up for sale is a rare pair of Romer Leg Irons! This pair is in great condition and operate perfectly with the included key. Measurements are: Cuffs: 3.75"x3.25" approximately Chain: 16" long Inscription reads: Romer & Co Newark NJ PAT. APR. 27 - eBay (14 Mar 2012)
This padlock had a high bid of $1,300 (Plus $14.25 Shipping).
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May 18, 2012

1880 Patented ROMER Handcuffs

Here is a nice example of Romer handcuffs. The price is most interesting.

This auction is for an original set of Romer Handcuffs. Patented April 7, 1880 and made in Newark, N.J. No key. These seem to be a very large size handcuff, I can slip them over my wrists. Measures 10-5/8" long and the cuffs have a 3" inside diameter measurement. This is the type and style that would have been carried by old west sheriffs. Excellent condition with great untouched old patina!! Fresh from an estate. See Pics. - eBay (2 Apr 2012)
This set of handcuffs had a high bid of $1,391 (Plus $7 Shipping).
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May 16, 2012

Antique Bronze Combination Padlock Lock Patent Model 1925

Apparently, this is a one-of-a-kind combination padlock. So, it is no surprise that this padlock went for two grand.

Fresh From New England for Your Consideration is This RARE Antique Combination padlock.It is unique and a rare. Due to the Crude inscription on the Front I believe the Combination lock to be a Patent Model. The Front of the Lock reads L.M. Patent November 10, 1925. I have the Combination to the lock and it will be supplied to the new owner. The Combination lock measures 4 1/2" inches tall by 1 13/16" inches wide.The Antique Bronze Combination lock is in Excellent Working Condition. I have Been in the Antique Business for over 30 years and have NEVER seen a Combination lock Quite like this. Because I have been unable to find this lock in any books or on the Internet I cannot find out who the maker or manufacturer of this lock is.This lock is in excellent working condition.The combination area of this lock is layered one on top of the other for a total of 3 disks making up the combination to open this lock. When the correct combination is entered the lock opens. Winning bidder will receive the combination to open the lock. The Important Antique Bronze Combination Padlock Lock Patent Model 1925 is Being Offered with NO RESERVE. Good Luck and Happy Collecting. - eBay (26 April 2012)
This padlock had a high bid of $2,002 (Plus Shipping).
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May 14, 2012

"1860 - 61 PRE PATENT 1ST MODEL W.V. ADAMS STATE PRISON MARKED ANTIQUE HANDCUFFS"

Well, this is an interesting set of handcuffs.

OFFERING THIS PAIR OF AUTHENTIC ANTIQUE PRE PATENT 1860-61 W.V. ADAMS FIRST MODEL WITH TWISTED LINKS AND NO MANUFACTURING MARKINGS HANDCUFFS. COMES WITH WHAT I THINK IS THE ORIGINAL KEY. THE CUFFS ARE MARKED STATE PRISON ON ONE SIDE (WHICH STATE DON'T KNOW). MARKED DURING ITS PERIOD OF USE. THE KEY DOES WORK. A GREAT ADDITION TO ANY LAWMAN COLLECTION. - eBay (9 May 2012)
This set of early handcuffs had a high bid of $2,235 (Plus $6.10 Shipping). -----

May 9, 2012

VINTAGE BEAN GIANT 1887 HANDCUFFS

Here is another nice example of a Bean Giant.

THESE ARE VERY RARE HANDCUFFS WITH KEY MADE BY BEAN GIANT IN 1887. THESE ARE THE TYPE OF HANDCUFFS THAT BECAME HOUDINI'S FAVORITE HANDCUFFS AS THEY WERE DESIGNED TO MAKE ESCAPE DIFFICULT BY HOLDING THE HANDS TIGHTLY TOGETHER. THEY ARE NICKEL PLATED AND HAVE TOP AND BOTTOM RELEASE BUTTONS. THEY WERE MADE IN U.S.A. AND ARE IN GREAT WORKING CONDITION AND HAVE JUST A TINY SPOT OF RUST AS CAN BE SEEN IN PICTURES AND THAT WOULD CLEAN RIGHT OFF. A GREAT OPPERTUNITY TO OWN RARE HANDCUFFS WITH ORIGINAL KEY.  
Question & Answer  
Q: Hello, neat item. Here's my question: This cuff was designed so that the arms could swing in and out of the lockcase freely. This allowed the cuff to be carried in a closed, but unlocked position. When the cuff needed to be applied, the user depressed the little buttons "arming" the cuff, at which point the cuff arms clicked into the lockcase and wouldn't swing back out until released with the key. When unlocked, the cuff arms should swing in and out of the lockcase, until the buttons are depressed. Does the cuff work this way? In other words, will the arms swing in and out until the buttons are pushed? Thanks for your response and best of luck on the auction.  
A: Hi, That is exactly how the cuffs work and I should mention that they are also adjustable to fit wrist. Thanks - eBay (1 May 2012)
This Bean Giant had a high bid of $1,076 (Plus $13.40 Shipping).
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May 7, 2012

Rare German Cuffs

Here is a very interesting rare set of handcuffs. Of more interest is the unreal price it went for.

I have been researching these cuffs with Handcuff collector's around the world. The consenus of opinion are that they were made by the German Company Muehlenfeld (definitely not Finnish. I talked to a Finnish cuff collector.), and that they are from the late 1800's. Possibly the 82 stands for the year they were made, 1882. They work smoothly and perfectly. I do not see any scratches. They are considered excellent condition. Here is what one German collector emailed me: 
Hello Guy, congratulations. What you have is a very interesting and rare piece. But I am not really sure, what it might be. They resemble German Muehlenfeld handcuffs model 115 from the late 1800s / early 1900s. But also Finish Kakola handcuffs. Both can be seen here http://www.holstcollection.com/ (handcuffs k-p) Maybe you post them here: http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/ If you sell them at eBay I am pretty sure that you’ll get US$ 1,500 to 2,000 or even more. I haven’t seen this model for sale within the last 10 years and your piece is in excellent condition. Best regards, Guenter  
They story behind them. Mr. Frank Zimmer (deceased now) was an Army interpeter in WWI. He nephew now 81 said was mustard gased in what he pronounced, "Shawdow Turi". We believe this was the town of Schalkau (Thuringia), Germany. Evidently, Frank was in a fairly high ranked position. In 1921 he was sent to Germany, along with an associate to extridite a Mr. Birdal (or Birdel) for desertion. Evidently, the small town where Mr. Birdal resides were quite protective of him and the local authorities arrested and jailed Mr. Zimmer and his associate. We are told that this ended up to be quite a scandal and was front page news in the Denver Post and other major newspapers. The US Army threatened to send troops to the town to force the release of Mr. Zimmer and his associate. We believe Frank Zimmer was cuffed with these and he somehow kept them as a momento. The key was actually remade in 1945 by Norman Zimmer, known to have great locksmithing skills.  
On Apr-26-12 at 10:20:06 PDT, seller added the following information: Some just asked if there were three hole in the top of the cuffs. It simply looks to me that there are 4 pins press fitted to hold the cuffs together. Verified Paypal buyers please.  
On Apr-26-12 at 14:09:42 PDT, seller added the following information: The little hole seen is picture 4 on the looks like a jagged break in the side sleeve of the key lock head and is not drilled or a casting defect. I have no idea how it got there.  
On Apr-26-12 at 14:11:27 PDT, seller added the following information: I mean picture 3. Sorry.  
On Apr-26-12 at 15:38:32 PDT, seller added the following information: Under a magnifying glass it seems to me that the marks on one side of the square plates are not pin holes but casting or stamping imperfections because I see nothing on the other square plate. Also, the top plates showing the key lock are the same size (measured with my micrometer. If one side looks larger it is just an optical camera illusion. Also 82 is stamped on the other cuff.  
On Apr-26-12 at 16:18:57 PDT, seller added the following information: These may be extremely rare Finnish cuffs after all but a number of collectors have now shown me both German opinions and Finnish. This collector has shed much light on the story the elderly previous owner shared with me. A very interesting handcuff. Just to clarify some ancillary issues, the name "Shawdow Turi" must unquestionably refer to the battle of Chateau-Thierry, which of course took place in France in 1918. Americans were, in fact, involved in this battle. I am also skeptical of some other aspects of the stated provenance of this piece. It is not that I question the intentions of the owner, it is just that facts, especially as transmitted by elderly persons, can become garbled over so many decades. (I couldn't begin to count the number of Japanese sergeant's swords which I have seen over the years which came with the story of having been "taken off the body of a dead Japanese colonel".) Although I am not aware of any such cases, it is possible that American deserters wound up in Germany. But I consider this highly unlikely. No American troops were on German soil during World War I. There were, conversely, hundreds of American deserters throughout France and Belgium. Granted, it is possible that a soldier who deserted in France could have made his way to Germany, but why would he? Further, under no circumstances could an interpreter ever be considered "highly ranked". Further, I consider it incomprehensible that Germans of that era would offer any opposition to representatives of the American government, no matter of what rank. After all, America was the only country which stood between Germany and the harsh vengeance sought by the French. The French, on the contrary, were by 1921 hostile to the Americans for a variety of reasons. So if any Americans were arrested, in pursuit of a deserter, I strongly suspect that this took place in France. I would! love to see a copy of the Denver Post article which was mentioned. All of which has absolutely nothing to do with the legitimacy or the value of these handcuffs. Look at the 4th photo, and in particular the notches in the bow. These are unquestionably Finnish, and a very rare variation.  
On Apr-27-12 at 09:54:21 PDT, seller added the following information: 4-27-2012 A collector in Germany just sent me this information: Hello, this handcuff was produced by Karl Schwertfeger in Hannover 1882. Kind regards Hanseatenhans On Apr-27-12 at 12:58:39 PDT, seller added the following information: Additional information: - Congress of Vienna 1815... - ... 35 independant princedoms + 4 free cities (~39 states) with different laws, weights & measures, currencies et cetera. .. - Franco-Prussian War 1870 - 1871. - Proclamation of the (II.)(Kaiser-)Reich in Verseilles. - Reichsvereinheitlichung (~Standardisation) 1882 ff. DRP(a.?)(German Reichspatent)in 1883... ...1918: Germany lost WW I and had to pay reparations inter alia patent licences... > Finland was (internationally) allowed to produce the (in)famous "Kakola" handcuffs without patent licence, after 1918... Hope I could help a bit further Hanseatenhans  
Questions and answers about this item    
Q: Hello. What are the inside dimensions (height & width) of the cuffs? For example, 2 inches x 2-1/2 inches, etc. Thanks  
A: 2 1/2 inches long Inside Demension. 1 13/16 Wide Inside deminsion. - eBay (6 May 2012)
This set of cuffs had a high bid of $4,550 (Plus $30 Shipping).
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