Hand-Cuffs Anyone?

snubbiefan · May 25, 2011

I picked up what I assumed to be a common set of cuffs several years ago at a pawn shop. I noticed they were Smith & Wesson. I had also assumed any hand-cuff key would work, but it would not. I wrote S&W and provided the serial number and they sent me a set of keys and told me these were used to transport prisoners from pen-to-pen and only this set of keys would work. I believe they are nickel-plated and not stainless, but I could be wrong.

Any collector value here?

scha · May 25, 2011

I collect cuffs as well as revolvers and in my opinion, current Smith & Wesson handcuffs rarely have any "collector value". There are some early handcuff versions (Particularly the 1912 Peerless cuffs that were manufactured by and marked "Made by Smith & Wesson) that have value, but most Smith & Wesson current model cuffs are not that valuable.

Hope this helps.

Steve

snubbiefan · May 25, 2011

Mine do bear the S&W trade mark and are also stamped "patent pending" and have a serial number. I am no cuff expert and never even knew they actually serialized the things.

Just curious. I have no idea how old they are, but I am sure S&W could tell me if I contacted them. I just picked them up for $5.00 at a pawn shop to lock things on my Harley some 20-years ago and have kept them ever since.

Thanks.

scha · May 25, 2011

If you post a photo I can try to identify them, but I anticipate they are an early Model 100. Is there a model marking on the cuffs? In any case, you did fine at $5.00. Most S&W cuffs on E-Bay go for $15.00 to $30.00 or so. The Model 94 cuffs (with a large tube type key) can go for up to $100. The other valuable model is the aluminum versions (Models 925 and 926) and these can easily be worth a $100.00 or more.

Hope this helps.

Steve

snubbiefan · May 25, 2011

I'll do a detailed look at what I have, but I also ran across another pair that my son purchased. They use the "regular key" and are oblong on the cuff ends. Mine are circular. I'll dig a bit deeper and may post a picture.

Thanx!

pharmer · May 25, 2011

These are Model 101 if IRC. "Standard" key. Joe

snubbiefan · May 25, 2011

Looks pretty close to the older set that I have, but mine don't take the standard key. A regular cuff-key will not open them. I was sent some special keys from S&W that would.

I'll get around to some pictures sooner or later. My keys have an elongated handle....like a boat-paddle may be the best way I could describe it. These others my son has take the key that looks like an old jail-house, or old house door key.

scha · May 25, 2011

Here is a web site with lots of different Smith & Wesson handcuffs.

Yossie's Handcuff Collection

The Model 104 takes a special key with an extra "bit" on the end.

Hope this helps.

Steve

snubbiefan · May 25, 2011

BINGO DUDE!

I have a set of the "high security" 104's with the funny key. The other set my son has are the 110's.

I had modified one of my 104 keys to open the "standard key" cuffs and still open the 104's as well. So...I guess the only remotely strange set I have are the 104's.

Thanks scha....you nailed it for me. I use to get a kick out of some of my local COP buddies that could not open my cuffs with their standard key.

Thanx to all, but one more question...are these usually stainless steel or nickel-plated. I am pretty sure the 110's are stainless, but I am not sure about the 104's. I am not going to file a spot off just to see and sometimes the magnet trick doesn't always work.

scha · May 25, 2011

The Model 103 is a stainless steel cuff. All other Smith & Wesson cuffs are carbon steel with a nickel plating. Older models had a polished nickel, but current production is kind of a "frosted" finish. Model 104s and Model 110s are nickel plated carbon steel.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Damn Yankee · May 25, 2011

You guys in law Enforcement have you seen this hidden key.

If you 10-15 someone and they have a rope bracelet check it out.

Google Image Result for http://thepolicenews.net/html/handcuffkey.jpg

sheriffoconee · May 25, 2011

along the way I bought a set of 104 handcuffs....and it was a PITA....I don't know where they are now....no one could open them but me...I am sure I gave them to someone who wanted them more than I did....
I am a Peerless guy....and I have some of the new ASP handcuffs, but I haven't really used them much

Texas Star · May 25, 2011

Are Hiatt's a good brand? I know they're one of the big names. How do they compare to S&W in similar models? I think they still offer a polished finish?

Is Peerless similar and still made?

I prefer the idea of stainless ones. I need to get a good set for a part-time security job. Probably won't need them, but if I do, I want good ones.

Obviously, I want current production ones, not collectibles, which might not have keys readily available.

Combat · May 26, 2011

I am going to use this thread as an excuse to post a pic of my S&W handcuffs. I got them because of the S&W connection and because they were cheap.

snubbiefan · May 26, 2011

sheriff....I always liked the 104's because I WAS the only guy in the crowd that had the funny key. I don't use them to fasten people, I use them to lock things to other things. I can certainly see the aggravation involved if they are actually used for the intended purpose, but if you're just looking for some to make something a little more secure and you want to be the only one with the key....they come in handy. I am not a LEO and they are more of a novelty to me. I ride motorcycles with some local city police officers that did not know any better. We were off out west somewhere and they let me cuff them together on a bet they could get loose.....they did not have the right key. After some good fun (and lots of cursing), I set them free.

ImprovedModel56Fan · May 26, 2011

snubbiefan said:
I ride motorcycles with some local city police officers that did not know any better. We were off out west somewhere and they let me cuff them together on a bet they could get loose.....they did not have the right key. After some good fun (and lots of cursing), I set them free.

How else are you going to enlarge your vocabulary? It's not like you can just go to your local dictionary to augment your repertoire of imaginative curses.

snubbiefan · May 26, 2011

Thankfully....we're all good friends, but I did have to make them promise they would not shoot, or otherwise hurt me when I set them free.

I am glad I started this thread. I had no idea there was such an interest in hand-cuffs and we even have hand-cuff "experts" and collectors out there. I have really enjoyed the discussion.

Eminence · May 26, 2011

I have a pair of S&W model 926 airweight cuffs in the original box and labeled as such including two keys and the original wax paper. I'm not sure if this is proper or not but if anyone would care to give me an idea of their value I would appreciate it. They are in excellent condition with some tarnishing. I might even be persuaded to part with them. If this request is improper for the forum, please delete.

scha · May 26, 2011

PM sent re Model 926 cuffs.

Steve

Eminence · May 26, 2011

Steve/Scha.

If that PM was meant for me, It didn't come thru.

Hand-Cuffs Anyone?

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