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Oct 25, 2010

Romer Leg Cuffs

These are very rare leg irons. Amazingly these items were sold for nothing near their actual value. Look below to see what a deal the buyer got!




Nice vintage set of leg shackles for the collector from late 1800's. In working condition, nice smooth surface and patina, with key, shackles open nicely and close decidedly. Stamped on both cuffs is Walton, Romero & Co. Newark NJ Pat. Apr 27 1880. Chain about 17", cuffs about 4.5" diameter. Used by police, prisons, military?, and escape artists worldwide in the day. - eBay (22 Oct 2010)

This set of leg irons had a 'buy-it-now' price of $85 (Plus $4.95 Shipping). How quick did you have to be to pick this deal up? I was the second person to view the bid and I was already too late! (I still listed it in the over $1,000 catagory based simply on the value, not the bid.)
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Oct 24, 2010

Airline Passenger Restraint Kit

Chubb handcuffs are not all that rare. A set like this I have not seen before. It is interesting.




You are bidding on a very rare Airline Passenger Restraint Kit.

This item is an original set from a now defunct airline. It contains all the items used by crew to restrain uncontrolled passengers, and keep them restrained until Police can meet the aircraft when on the ground.

The contents of this original package include:

    • Aviation specific Chubb handcuffs
    • Cuff attached restraint belt and fastener
    • Key on coiled lanyard
    • Additional restraint belt with fastener
    • 2x wrist protectors (to use during training)
    • Original zip pouch
    • Paper guide to restraining passengers (a bit tatty)
    • Unused seal for sealing zip pouch.

This is a very rare find, and a must for airline memorabilia collectors. You won't find another item like this on eBay, it's that rare!

Any questions, then feel free to ask - I'll be more than happy to help. - eBay (23 Sept 2010)

This set had a high bid of 85 British Pounds/$136.10 (Plus 7 Pounds Shipping).
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Oct 22, 2010

U.S REG'D MAIL PADLOCK

Here is what appears to be a newer version of the US Registered Mail Padlock. This probably explains why this one went for much more than the older ones. Call it the price of having a complete set.







Vintage U.S. Reg'd Mail Padlock & Key S 157405 in as found condition as shown. Everything functions as it should, and glass in very nice condition. Measures 2" x 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" - eBay (16 Sept 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $270 (Plus $5 Shipping).
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Oct 21, 2010

BRASS HORSESHOE SHAPE PADLOCK

Here is a very interesting horseshoe padlock. I have not seen one like this before. I would have loved to have won this one but I underestimated what this would go for. I should have known better.




FOR AUCTION AN ANTIQUE BRASS FRONTED HORSESHOE SHAPED PADLOCK, WITH THE ORIGINAL KEY,AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

THE FRONT OF THE PADLOCK AND THE LOCKING BAR ARE MADE FROM BRASS.
WIDTH OF THIS LOCK IS 5 cm HEIGHT OF THE LOCK IS 7.5 cm. - eBay (17 Oct 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of 104.75 British Pounds/$167.73 (Plus 7 Pounds Shipping).
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Oct 20, 2010

LARGE UNIQUE HOUDINI FENTON HANDCUFF

Here is an interesting one-of-a-kind cuff:






Houdini Fenton Handcuffs padlock At the Indianapolis Crossroads of America padlock convention several years ago a one-o-a-kind Ian McColl piece was displayed. This is that unique McColl creation. Here is the story of this unique piece;

The original lock was made about 1760 by William Fenton, a locksmith from Bradford, England. Only three were made. No one has knows the whereabouts of two of them, but one of them was used on a warehouse door. When the building was torn down in the 1800's the lock was removed by members of the Fenton family. It remained in the Fenton family when a descendant of Fenton’s challenged Houdini to open this lock. He added a wooden stock on top of the lock. The handwritten challenge to Houdini states in part; “Challenge to Mr. Houdini. Dear Sir, I have a patent lock with wood handcuffs attached, and if you will allow me to fasten you, I challenge you to pick the lock. The lock was made Wm Fenton, locksmith, Bradford, therefore a local one, and perhaps will give more interest than otherwise. If you will kindly accept theChallenge, I shall be pleased to handcuff you, at any time convenient to you. ….”

Houdini declined this challenge. Not once, but twice. He would not accept the challenge in 1910 and again in 1914 when performing in the area. After Houdini’s death it became known as the lock that beat Houdini, although Harry never accepted the challenge.

It is a simple warded lock, but has not one or two, but three compartments built within the lock. Drawings, sketches, and photos of the original padlock were made, and Ian faithfully reproduced the lock from that information complete with stocks. Up for auction is Ian’s one and only reproduction. Without instructions on how to open it one would take quite some time to even open it with the key. Instructions will be sent to the winning bidder. Since the original is owned by the family and for awhile was displayed in a museum (not sure if it’s still there or not), this is your only chance to own this important but almost unknown piece of Houdiniana. For Handcuff or Houdini collectors you won’t ever get a chance to acquire another one. Photos below show front, back, the key, and to show the immense size of this piece I've used another Ian McColl masterpiece for scale, his French Lettercuff. Notice the large size of this lock/handcuff compared to a normal sized handcuff. This is a unique chance to obtain a one-of-a-kind Houdini related piece. It may go to a padlock or lock collector, Houdini collector, or a handcuff collector. It operates beautifully, and is in perfect condition. I will include a photocopy of the Houdini Challenge, handwritten by a descendent of the original lock's maker William Fenton, and additional information on this famous declined Houdini challenge.

Feel free to ask questions. Look at the photos. Notice the large size, formidable appearance, and with the story and information I will include with this auction this will make a fantastic display and story for someone’s collection. Good luck. - eBay (18 Sept 2010)

This handcuff had a high bid of $960 (Plus $20 Shipping) but failed to meet the reserve price.
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Oct 19, 2010

Rare Seal Padlock

Here is a real interesting seal padlock. I am not sure the role of the lever. The lock front will only open when the shackle is open as you can see that on the top inside a part of the door locks with the shackle when it is closed.The dimples hold some piece of paper and there is a door to protect the paper seal. In all an interesting design.









UP FOR YOUR BIDDING CONSIDERATION IS AN EXTREMELY RARE ANTIQUE PADLOCK AND KEY SET.

THIS HEAVY DUTY BRASS LOCK HAS A VERY UNUSUAL, NEVER SEEN BEFORE MECHANISM.

THE LOCK COMES WITH ITS ORIGINAL KEY AS SHOWN IN THE PHOTOS.

THE LOCK IS MARKED ACCISES NO. 845 ON THE FRONT SIDE.

THE KEY HAS NUMBER 1266 MARKED ON THE TOP.

THE PIECE SHOWS BEAUTIFUL PATINA FROMED OVER THE YEARS.

CONDITION : VERY GOOD CONDITION FOR ITS AGE. SHOWS AGE RELATED WEAR.

LOCK MEASURES APPROXIMATE : 5 1/2" TALL.

100% AUTHENTIC GUARANTEED.

Please preview all photos for better visual description. - eBay (19 Sept 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $560 (Plus $14 Shipping). I had received an email from a reader who mentioned that the value of this padlock was more like $3,000.
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Oct 9, 2010

Another 'Good Luck' Padluck

This is the first nice Good Luck padlock that I have seen in a while. The price is nice too.




CADENAS EN LAITON "GOOD LUCK" (SLAYMAKER LOCK Co.) USA.

Dimensions : Largeur : 5,2 cm. Hauteur : 7,3 cm. Épaisseur : 1,4 cm.

Poids : 130 gr. - eBay (14 Sept 2010)
This padlock had a 'Buy-it-Now' price of 24 Euros/$30.89 (Plus 3.50 Euros Shipping).
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Oct 8, 2010

Maple leaf poormans story padlock

Nice lock. Too bad the photo is not the best. I have not seen any others like it.


This is a rare "Maple leaf" poormans story padlock. This measures 2 1/4" x 3 5/8" and comes with professional locksmith made key. The condition is excellent with no damage and very light oxidation.. - eBay (13 Sept 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $26.49 (Plus $4.95 Shipping).
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Oct 7, 2010

"Hiatt" Snap-Shut Darby design Leg Irons

Here is a set of old leg irons. These were in use far longer than people thought, especially outside the US.










To assist in size determination, squares in the picture backgrounds are 1”.

This listing is for a set of vintage ‘Hiatt’ Leg Irons with original key.

Regular snap-shut ‘Darby’ design that many are familiar with.

Marked “British Made”. Heavily nickel-plated and in excellent condition.

The pictures give a good description but are limited in size reference. It’s 21” from end to end; each shackle is 4” x 4”, the key is 2 ½” long. - eBay (18 July 2010)

This set of leg irons had a high bid of $267 (Plus $4.95 Shipping).
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Oct 6, 2010

1850s ANTIQUE MASONIC PADLOCK

Here is an interesting padlock. Rare due to who used it.






ULTRA RARE 1850's MASONIC PADLOCK WITH KEY THIS LISTING IS FOR AN ANTIQUE MASONIC PADLOCK FROM THE MID 19th CENTURY. IT IS HAND MADE FROM BRASS AND HAS A VERY NICE DARK RICH PATINA.IT MEASURES 4 1/2" X 2 3/8".THE KEY IS 2 1/2" LONG. THE LOCK WORKS PROPERLY. THE KEY HOLE COVER IS SPRING LOADED...IT IS MARKED HC. JONES, NEWARK NJ. PATENTED 1854 AND IS MARKED WITH THE COMPASS AND RULER...UNDER MAGNIFICATION THE LINES OF THE SQUARE ARE VISIBLE. THE KEY RING IS HELD TOGETHER BY A CARVED PIECE OF STONE WITH HOLES CARVED IN IT. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS TO BE IN EXCELLENT WORKING ORIGINAL ANTIQUE CONDITION. THIS IS A RARE PIECE THAT BELONGS IN A MUSEUM OR A HIGH END COLLECTION AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE YOU WILL EVER SEE ANOTHER ONE FOR SALE...IT IS AN INCREDIBLE PIECE!!! - eBay (13 Aug 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $293 (Plus $5 Shipping).
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Oct 5, 2010

Miniature Copper Penny Trick Padlock

I would not exactly classify this as a lock. It is nice though.






Here is a very hard to find antique miniature Copper Wheat penny trick padlock. Condition is excellent. It was made from two copper pennys, one is dated 1937. The entire lock measures only 1 inch long, 5/16 inch thick, and 3/4 inch across. Not much of a trick though still a very unusual padlock perfect for display. You push the spring loaded button and the shackle pops up and turns 45 degrees.

This is a very hard to find lock. - eBay (5 Sept 2010)


This padlock had an opening bid of $150 (Plus $7.70 Shipping) but had no bidders.
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Oct 4, 2010

BRASS 5 BARREL FRENCH PADLOCK WORD COMBINATION

I have French word padlocks. One has four dials and I have the combination. The other has six dials but unfortunately I do not have the combination for that one, yet.






RARE FRENCH WORD COMBINATION PADLOCK. SOLID BRASS & IRON. MEASURES 3 1/2 " W X 4" H . EXCELLENT CONDITION, BUT WE DO NOT HAVE THE WORD COMBINATION TO OPEN IT UP. MARKED ON SIDE PETIT BREVETES ARNHEITER ET. NO RESERVE . WE FOUND A SMALLER ONE ON LINE IN A SITE THAT TALKS OF RARE UNIQUE VINTAGE LOCKS THEY HAD A SMALLER ONE THEN THIS THAT WAS SELLING FOR $149.95. VERY HEAVY AND SOLID. - eBay (30 Aug 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $371 (Plus $15.70 Shipping).
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