1887 BEAN GIANT HANDCUFFS MARKED PATENT APPLIED FOR

It has been a while since a Bean Giant has gone up for auction. Seems that someone was seeking one as it went for the 'Buy-it-Now' price.

 

 

UP FOR AUCTION;

A NICE 1887 BEAN GIANT HANDCUFF - MARKED PATENT APPLIED FOR. THIS IS THE SMALL FRAME VERSION AND COMES WITH A WORKING KEY.

IT IS STAMPED ALONG THE BOW PAT APL'D FOR AND COMES WITH A WORKING KEY.

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE PICTURES, REMEMBER THESE PICS DON'T DO JUSTICE TO THE ITEM.

PLEASE SEE OUR OTHER ITEMS AND FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS.

BID NOW, BE HAPPY! - eBay (15 August 2013)

This Bean Giant had a high bid of $1,200 (Plus $7.60 Shipping).
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BEAN GIANT 1887 Patent HANDCUFFS

The Bean Giant is an amazing set of handcuffs and a must-have for any serious handcuff collector. So someone had gotten a truly amazing deal on this set.

 

 

 

Very nice Bean Giant Cuffs 1887 Patent

No key. Same model Houdini used in his performances . Not the exact pair.

Great nickel cuffs. Rare and unique, Don't let these slip away. They have been in storage, dry and just now have seen day light since some time in the 1950's - eBay (5 Jan 2013)

This set of Bean Giant handcuffs had an amazingly low 'high' bid of $760 (Plus $11.14 Shipping).
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BEAN GIANT REPLICA

Well this is something that you do not see everyday. A genuine Bean Giant replica.

 

BEAN GIANT HANDCUFFS - FAMOUS FOR HOUDINI STORY! Up for auction are a pair of Bean Giant Handcuffs. This pair is from the castings made by Ian McColl of Australia. The are nickel plated, and look great. So shiny I couldn't even set them down without getting fingerprints on them! They work great. The originals were patented in 1887, and this pair is among the last of the castings that Ian has. This pair was assembled and made by myself. Nice strong spring action, buttons work great, and to my knowledge, it's one of VERY FEW pair of Ian's Bean Giants that are plated. 

If you put these on anyone, with the keyhole facing the body, it's nearly impossible to open them even with the key. Yet, Houdini escaped from them. This pair comes with lost wax cast key, and the handcuff itself is made from lost wax castings. Other than the fact you can see the rivets and screws on the back plate (I didn't realize how much plating will bring out imperfections!) it might pass for an original cuff right out of the box! - eBay (4 Dec 12)

This set of cuffs had a high bid of $500 (Plus $8 Shipping).
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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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Bean Giant

Here is the latest set of Bean Giant handcuffs to sell on eBay.

Antique 1887 Houdini Type Handcuffs Bean Giant Excellent Nickel Plate NR .

Here is a very nice set of original Bean Giant handcuffs offered with no reserve or buy it now.

These handcuffs were made famous by Houdini. Just Google Bean Giant Handcuffs and you will see.

Condition seems to be excellent in my opinion considering the age. There are some dings and spots of rust otherwise the nickel plating is 95% or better. They come with what looks like an original key that also has some tiny rust spots or dark areas. It looks to me like the cover may have been taken off at one time? Look at my photos and judge for your self. The handcuffs are in working order and lock and unlock as they should. When you turn the key to unlock they will stay unlocked until you push the buttons for each cuff side. A neat feature. The cover is stamped PAT.NOV.1.87. - eBay (16 Nov 2011)

This Bean Giant Handcuff had a high bid of $1,236.87 (Plus $6.50 Shipping).
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Another set - Bean Giant handcuff

Here is yet another set of Bean Giant handcuffs. Seems a bit odd that all these sets are coming up for auction all of a sudden. As a result it seems that prices have taken a hit. I know when I got my first set, I did not know when the next set would come around. Then the next three sets went for more than what I paid for mine. And now, I have a second set which I paid half the price of the first. On the good side, as long as your buying a deal is a deal...

Please ask any question before you bid and I will do my best to answer them. I have been collecting for nearly 20 years and am pretty much not interested anymore and phasing out the collection for new interests. This is sold as a collectible, and not intended for law enforcement use. I am not the original owner, so I can't claim it came from a smoke free home, although I myself do not smoke.

This is the Bean Giant handcuff, which made its appearance in the 1880s and may have been manufactured into the early 1900s. It is an original and NOT a reproduction. It is a single locking handcuff with a solid body design, there is a key way at the center of the cuff body which makes opening it when on your wrists very difficult. The cuff is bare metal, with traces of plating at the hinges. Both cuffs unlock, but the reset button on one side doesn't work, so that side automatically re-locks when the bow arm is released. The other button works fine, so that side stays unlocked when opened and resets by pushing the button. The cuff is marked Pat. Pend (not pat number!) on the bow arm, not the body and is out of view when the cuff is closed. There is a '6' stamped on the back of the cuff, no idea what it refers to. Included is a working single bit key that came with the cuff when I bought it.

DISCLAIMER: This cuff was NOT owned by Houdini at any time. They guy I bought it from back in the 90s is knowledgeable enough that if it was ever owned or handled by Houdini I would have had to pay a lot more for it. There is no association of any note with this cuff.

Please wait for a shipping quote before payment! Buyer pays for shipping. I will ship overseas, but the cost is extreme and I have no control over what the post office charges. I do not charge handling fees, only what it costs to ship. I am a buyer mostly and I resent when dealers add on those kinds of fees. This cuff is already packaged and ready to go once I quote the shipping costs.
Paypal only. - eBay (29 Aug 2010)

This Bean Giant had a high bid of $1,225 (Plus $ Shipping).
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Rusty Set of Bean Giant handcuffs

I'm calling it a rusty set but still this is nicer than nothing. However, it seems that the seller prefered to hold onto it as the level that the bidding reached.

Very rare Bean Giant handcuffs. The handcuffs are complete and working. The cuffs have lost most of their plating but are functioning properly and the springs for the release buttons are strong. But overall in a very good condition and look better in real than on the photo's. The supplied flat key is original. - eBay (24 July)

This Bean Giant had a high bid of $511 (Plus $25 Shipping from the Netherlands) but failed to meet the reserve price.
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Another Set of Bean Giant Handcuffs

Here is a fine example of a rare set of Bean Giant Handcuffs. Before the end of the auction I had a conversation with another collector who estimated that it would go for over $2,000 given the good condition. So it seems that someone got a good deal.

Antique Bean Giant handcuffs. These are an outstanding example of these highly collectible cuff. They are fully functional with a replacement key. I have been watching this model sell for the last year and I believe this is one of the finest examples that has come on the market. - eBay (22 July 2010)

This Bean Giant had a high bid of $1,550 (Plus $7.50 Shipping). The only reason I have for this not selling for more is that like everywhere else, most collectors are simply tapped out with little cash to spare on more cuffs. For me, I had just bought a second Bean Giant on 4 July, never expecting that my bid would win out at under $1,000.
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Early Bean Giant Handcuffs

Here is a nice Bean Giant. Even nicer is the price: Under $1,000.

This is a pair of early Bean Giant handcuffs that use a flat key. The handcuffs are complete and working. They show use, wear and a little pitting on one side, but still retain most of their plated finish. - eBay (4 July 2010)

This set of cuffs had a high bid of $885 (Plus $15 Shipping).
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SMITH EGGE Padlock Lock GIANT 1877 Pat.

I like how these padlocks look. The key operation is cool as well.

Antique SMITH & EGGE Padlock w/ push key

I believe it to be brass.

Lock & key work great!

I believe it's from the 1800's, Very Rare! It has a Design Engraved on the Front, along with the Patent Date and Manufacturer. Engraved on the Front are: "SMITH & EGGE MF'G CO"-"BRIDGEPORT CT"--"PATENTED SEPT 4 1877".

The Screws or Rivets holding this lock together are little domes with a Cross on each one.The shackle has the Word: "GIANT" engraved. The shackle & the Bottom Side appear to be Copper. Measures 2 3/4" in length by 2" across by 1/2" in thickness.The push key is also engraved "GIANT". - eBay (5 June 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $109.99 (Plus $8.95 Shipping).
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1887 BEAN GIANT HANDCUFFS

My favorite type of handcuffs.

Here are a great example of the original BEAN GIANT handcuffs. They are only marked with the early patent date of NOV. 1, 87. They are in almost perfect condition with no breaks or cracks. They have NEVER been opened or messed with in any way except the old sheriff hand-etched his initals of "C/K" on the reverse side of the keyhole. The keyhole is undamaged and has no modification. The original BEAN key is provided and they work great. Turn the key counter clockwise, the two buttons pop up and the hasps will swing freely until the button is pressed down and this locks the hasps. The key has no markings and has a slight "twist" from someone turning it clockwise, but it is solid and shows no weakness, it will open them everytime!

The nickel plating is all original. It shows only the slightest wear on the ends of the hasps from use. There are only a few tiny spots of rust around the keyhole area and in a few other places, but these are the best ones I have seen in a while! They are used and original, but were well cared for. They are factory and were never opened for repair and never seen bubba's grinding wheel. They are uncleaned, unpolished and are new to the market, ready for your collection! They are 6" long overall, 2 7/8" tall, the hole for your wrist fully closed is 2 7/16" across. - eBay (12 Dec 2009)

This Bean Giant had a high bid of $1,750 (Plus Free Shipping).
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ORIGINAL ANTIQUE HANDCUFFS - BEAN GIANT-WITH KEY

Another example of a Bean Giant up for sale. This is another rough-looking example and again it does not seems to hurt the final price. Clearly there is a floor for these, at least as long as they appear to work.

ANTIQUE BEAN GIANT HANDCUFFS WITH AFTER MARKET LOCKSMITH MADE KEY.

UNMARKED BUT DEFINITELY A BEAN GIANT--" IT IS NOT THE MOST POPULAR OF THE VARIOUS BEAN PRODUCTS, BUT IT MIGHT VERY WELL BE THE MOST FAMOUS. THE BEAN GIANT WAS MADE FAMOUS BY BEING USED, EXTENSIVELY, BY THE GREAT ESCAPE ARTIST HARRY HOUDINI" MANACLES OF THE WORLD CATALOG. OPENS/CLOSES PERFECTLY. - eBay (11 Nov 2009)

This Bean Giant had a high bid of $1,860 (Plus $8 Shipping).
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My Bean Giant

Here are some photos of my Bean Giant. The auctioned is posted somewhere here earlier. I got them from the seller after his auction failed to meet his reserve price with me having the highest bid. I purchased them for $1,600. They came with a key and work fine.

At the levels this latest auctions have been going for, I seem to have gotten a good deal for these. No matter, I have no intention of getting rid of them anytime soon. One never knows though!

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Rare Bean Giant Handcuffs Marked Iver Johnson Co. Boston

Another example of my favorite handcuff. Nice that there are a couple coming up for auction. This one looks like it might have been opened at some point in the past.

This is for a pair of Bean Giant handcuffs from the 1880's marked Iver Johnson Co. Boston around the hinge on either side. No patent date but we know when these were in use. They measure just over 6 inches in lenght and 2 7/8 inch closed. the plating is bad in a couple spots as I have shown in the photos. There is a 5 marked twice on the centers on each side. The buttons push in fine and for a while I had a home made key and it worked the cuffs fine but the key has been misplaced, so I know they would work with the right key, available on other websites. Guarenteed to be a original pair and rare. - eBay (7 Nov 2009)

This Bean Giant had a high bid of $2,010 (Plus $8.10 Shipping).
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