Announcing "The Big Book of U.S. Handcuff Patents"

It is my pleaseure to bring the following new book to the attention of fellow handcuff collectors:

Hi Fellow Handcuff Collectors and Enthusiasts,

At long last, I have completed "The Big Book of U.S. Handcuff Patents", a comprehensive chronological compilation of handcuff, manacle, and shackle patents from 1860 through 2007 outlining the history of restraint design in the U.S. It is a fully indexed, 1089 page 2 volume set containing 218 full patents along with photos and histories. The Index and Table of Contents are too long to be posted here, but they can be viewed by going to http://amorphousproductions.com/bigbook/. The price for the 2 volume set is $64.95 plus shipping only if ordered from the Big Book web site. It will also be offered on Ebay, but at a higher price due to Ebay's fees. Check it out and order your copy today. - Link

Book homepage here.

View the forum discussion here.

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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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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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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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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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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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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