"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). -----

Vintage Adams 1862 handcuffs

Here is a recent example of a rare set of Adams Handcuffs. Note that at least one side appears to not be functional:

For sale: A vintage pair of Adams handcuffs that are in very good condition. They have been in my mothers junk drawer for as long as I can remember and she got them from her grandfather. First, the only thing that tells me that they are Adams, are photos I have seen on the web, because the only thing on them is PAT. JUNE 17 1862.

There is a word before PAT, that I assume is Adams but I can't read it. We never had the key so I got one on ebay, and one side opened right up while the other side remains stuck. I can feel the nub of the key lift the lock, but the arm will not swing away with just me pulling. The metal has a brown patina on it, the swivels both move freely and there are a few light marks and digs, but is in overall great shape.I am also selling a vintage pair of Peerless-Smith&Wesson cuffs, so check them out. I have been told I need to add that the arms have 8 notches, thanks for the help. - eBay (17 Jan 2010)

This set of handcuffs had a high bid of $228.50 (Plus $6.20 Shipping).
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Another Adams Handcuffs Auction

Here is what appears to be an earlier version of Adams handcuffs.

These I believe are from around the Civil War or that era they are riveted and are made of Iron and I have one key. I seen a pair similar to these and they were dated 1862 mine are not dated they have patent applied for on them and I could not find any other markings. They have some rust and need to be cleaned I used the key and they still work. These are as found condition I can't guarantee the year but they sure look and feel like old iron. I am selling these with a reserve thanks and good luck. - eBay (21 June 09)

This set of handcuffs was sold with a 'Buy-it-Now' price of $350 (Plus $12 Shipping).
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ANTIQUE ADAMS IRON HANDCUFFS WITH KEY STAMPED 1862

Here is a nice example of the Adams handcuffs.

CHECK THESE OUT!! ANTIQUE ORIGINAL IRON ADAMS HANDCUFFS WITH KEY. THE KEY IS NOT ORIGINAL.

THEY ARE IN WORKING ORDER. EACH CUFF IS STAMPED "MMC" AND WHAT LOOKS TO BE

"PATD JUNE 17, 1862". FROM END OF CUFF TO CUFF, THEY ARE APPROX 9" ACROSS. - eBay (3 May 09)

This set of handcuffs sold for $306.50 (Plus $5.75 shipping).
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Adam's Handcuffs - OLD VINTAGE HANDCUFFS CIVIL WAR ERA-1862

Here is another fine example of Adam's Handcuffs. This set is now mine:

EARLY MODEL HANDCUFFS THAT HAVE THE ORIGINAL KEY. I THINK THESE ARE BY ADAMS, WHO RECEIVED A PATENT IN 1862. THE HINGES AND KEY MOVE FREELY AND THERE IS VERY LITTLE WEAR OR PITT MARKS---I HAVEN'T CLEANED THESE, THEY ARE AS THEY WERE STORED --i AM USING THE INFORMATION FROM A PREVIOUS AUCTION THAT SOLD THE EXACT SAME PAIR OF THESE HANDCUFFS.I DO NOT SEE ANY OTHER MARKS ON THESE CUFFS TO DECIDE ON THE NAME SO I LOOKED UP THE EXACT PICTURE. 100% THE SAME AS PREVIOUS AUCTION--SHIPPING IS $7.00 AND INSURANCE IS ADVISED--TOTAL MEASUREMENT LENGTH IS 10 1/2 INCHES WHEN FULLY EXTENDED- - eBay

After the auction, the seller sent me the following additional information:

"Hi--I found a clipping in the box with these cuffs, among other things.I dont know if they should go together but if you want it, I will sent it along. It says the following--1907--here is a quoted item : " The handcuffs which William Harvey Carswell wore at the time he was led to his doom on the gallows nearly 40 years ago, to answer to the crime of murder commited on Pond Hill in this town-(which is camden NY) were presented by Hugh Owen in Rome NY Tuesday to officer Herbert Sanford, Camden (NY). I dont know if you want it but it kind of dates the cuffs 40 years before 1907."

Lars, who owns the massive collection at "The Lars Holst Restraint Collection" sent me some additional details on the Adam's cuffs:

Your version seem to be the second version with 8 notches. The first version, “Patent applied for” had 15 notches.

This set of handcuffs solde for $240.50 (Plus $7 Shipping).
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Adam's Handcuffs - Civil War Era 1862 Patent A.F

This is a pair of Adam's handcuffs. Aparently this is the older version.

Early model handcuffs without key. I believe these are by Adams, who received a patent in 1862. However, this pair is marked (partially hidden by the lock piece, and maybe abbreviated): Patent Applied For. There are also initial JFB in a couple of spots. They are locked tight. There is some wear and lots of small dents, especially on the lock pieces. When fully extended, they measure 10 1/2 inches long. - eBay (1 Feb 09)

This set of handcuffs sold for $233.56 (Plus $5.54 Shipping).
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ADAMS HANDCUFFS - 1862

Here is a great style of handcuffs. I do not have a set yet, but once I get over some recent bad bidding luck I hope to have a set soon. Luckily, even though these do not turn up too often, they do seem to turn up in very good condition. Also they sem to go for a consistent price. Then again, that might be because I have been ending up as the second-best bidder and I have been consistant!

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ANTIQUE ADAMS HANDCUFFS WITH KEY PAT JUNE 17, 1862

THIS AUCTION IS FOR A SET OF ADAMS HANDCUFFS IN GREAT CONDITION. INCLUDED IS ORIGINAL KEY. KEY WORKS BUT HAS A SMALL SPLIT ON END. LOOK CLOSELY AT PHOTOS. HANDCUFFS OPERATE VERY SMOOTHLY. SURFACE HAS NICE PATINA WITH NO BREAKS. THEY HAVE A PATENT MARK WHICH READS "JUNE 17, 1862". - eBay

These handcuffs sold for $218.50 (Plus $6.80 Shipping).
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Adam's Hand Cuffs

Adam’s Handcuff’s. The story begins with W. V. Adams who introduced the adjustable ratchet principle to handcuffs in his patent of June 17, 1862. Prior to Adams all handcuffs, at least those in America, were of fixed size, such as the Palmer style where there were 5 sizes.

This design was later picked up by entrepreneur John Tower, who started one of the most successful American handcuff companies in 1865. Tower handcuffs were manufactured up until the Second World War, and they were all based on the original Adams patent.

The handcuff’s I have for auction have a clear stamped Patent date on the inside of both cuffs. These cuffs are fully operational and no rust. Be careful there is only one key. - eBay

This set of handcuffs went for $341.76 (Plus $10 Shipping).
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Antique W. V. Adams Handcuffs

This is a really neat pair of antique handcuffs. I like how the cuff bows are square metal instead of rounded:

Up for bid is an original pair of W.V. Adams handcuffs patented June 17, 1862. These handcuffs are in good condition with very little ware of the nickle plating. All joints move freely and both locks work. Comes with one none original key. Both cuffs are stamped Pat. June 17, 1862. These Adams handcuffs were the first adjustable ratchets that could bind wrists tightly or loosely. Comes with a copy of the original patent number 35576. - eBay

Handcuffs like these do not come up on eBay all that often. This pair sold for $330.01 (Plus $5 shipping). That's a decent price yet still very affordable. Kind of.

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