Manila thumbcuffs

Here is a rare set of thumbcuffs

scarse mint condition set of MANILLA thumcuffs complete with TWO ORIGINAL keys.......... PLEASE CLICK ON SEE SELLERS OTHER ITEMS AT TOP RIGHT TO SEE THE OTHER SIMILIAR ITEMS THAT I HAVE ON EBAY.......... - eBay (6 July 09)

This set of thumbcuffs had a high bid of $126.67 (Plus $7.50 Shipping) but failed to meet the reserve price.

Here is a photo I found in the Handcuffs.Org forum (here) of some more Manila hand and thumbcuffs

The handcuffs look interesting but it is the thumbcuffs that are really neat!

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1800s THUMBKIN Set with Lead Chain - Thumbcuffs

A very interesting set of thumbcuffs. Of more interest is that the two sets are connected with a heavy chain.

Up for auction is this “SET” of Thumbkin thumb screws with the “LEAD CHAIN”. This is the first set that I have ever seen with the lead chain. Both cuffs are in nice working order and the wing nuts spin freely. Each Thumbkin measures approximately 2 7/8 inch wide by 3 1/2 inches tall to the top on the chain ring. Total length including the Thumbkins is approximately 21 1/2 inches. - eBay (25 April 09)

This set had a high bid of $255 (Plus $10 Shipping) but failed to meet the reserve price. It was relisted (here - May 09) with a 'Buy-it-Now' price of $400 (Plus $7 shipping) but failed to sell.

It seems that this set was part of this previous auction:

original antique handcuffs

You are bidding on 2 antique handcuffs one has a chain on it. They do not come with a key but they are available online. There is surface rust on them but the look like they are in good shape. - eBay (1 April 09)

The set sold for $202.50 (Plus $10.86 Shipping).
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GILL LION TAMER thumbcuffs

Looks like a solid set of handcuffs:

Nice scarse old plated set of GILL LION TAMER thumbcuffs complete with working key...... the GILL is a fairly hard one to find. - eBay

This set of thumbcuffs sold for $127.50 (Plus $7.50 Shipping).
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Rare Old Chinese Copper Thumb Handcuff

This is a sort of nice set of thumbcuffs:

Rare Kind 19c copper police thumb cuff ,The word means"Sichuan" province police supervise made .Weight :86g - eBay

I am not sure where they get 19th century and also mentioned in the listing is:

Age: 1900-1940

That would be 20th century. It claims to be an original and not a copy and it very well might be since eBay is not full of listings for more copies. However, the key at least is not original. And I doubt the rest is much older than the key.

This was listed with a 'buy it now' price of $80 (and $8 shipping) but it did not sell.

I still don't have any thumbcuffs but I think I will just look for a high quality new set and stay away from anything like this, unless I want something to hang on the wall. After all, who is to say that things will open up when you want them to.

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Very Expensive Antique Thumbcuffs

I thought that thumbcuffs are a relatively new item, but they have been around for a while. Here is an interesting antique pair.

ANTIQUE THUMB CUFFS. THESE ARE HIGH QUALITY AND WORK QUITE WELL. COMES WITH ONE KEY. THE ONLY LETTERING I SEE IS "PAT. PEND." IF YOU COLLECT THE OLD WEST, EARLY HAND CUFFS ETC, THIS IS FOR THE DISCRIMINATING COLLECTOR. THESE MEASURE 1 3/8" TALL AND CLOSES TO 3". - eBay

The bidding started at $0.01 and went for over $1,172 (Plus $7.40 shipping). Unreal.

I do not have any thumbcufs at the moment but they are on my shopping list. I was planning on getting a new set, but I guess I need to check out what other antiques might be available. Then again, I can buy over 100 new pairs of thumb cuffs for that this one set went for. Or 5 or 6 antique sets of handcuffs. Maybe even a set of Bean Giant handcuffs.....

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