M-100 handcuffs?

Usmc5811 · #1 02-27-2019, 10:14 AM

I’m assuming these are M-100 handcuffs? These were my dad’s that he bought in the late 70’s when he became a Game Warden with the state of Virginia. Then when I went in to the Marines as an MP they were passed onto me. I had forgot I had these until I was going through some things and found them. The serial number is 61811 if that helps too. Sorry for the ****** pic.

les.b · #2 02-27-2019, 10:23 AM

Yes, those appear to be the number 100. We recently had a handcuff thread and several members contributed... Those certainly make a nice memento of the bond between your father and yourself.

Vintage S&W 938 Handcuffs w/Pics

Our resident handcuff expert is forum member dltvette, IIRC

Best Regards, Les

Usmc5811 · #3 02-27-2019, 10:30 AM

Thanks Les I was pretty sure they were the 100’s, the handcuff thread is what got me thinking about the model number. Looks like they aren’t worth a whole lot but to me they are priceless. I know between my dad and I they did get used a good bit. And maybe one of my daughters will go into to some kind of LEO and they can keep he passed on to them.

dltvette · #4 02-27-2019, 10:44 AM

Usmc5811,
The ones you posted are a patent pending model 103 Stainless. The model 103 & 104 were the only cuffs manufactured by S&W with the rivet construction at this time (2011 all cuffs were rivet construction). They are pre-1979 because they were manufactured in Springfield, Mass.
I will post some photos later when I return home this morning.
I hope this helps.
Dave

Usmc5811 · #5 02-27-2019, 12:06 PM

Dave,
Thanks for any info you can give me. I wish I had the box and the the original key to go with it. But I know dad would not have kept the box and the key was probably lost somewhere. When he first took the job they had a house in another county. He would sleep in the local jail cell during the week and go home on the weekends. I believe he did this for a few months before mom moved to Monterey, VA and they rented a house a block or two from the jail cell. At that time I believe he had more buisness then the local sheriff and his two deputy’s did. Hence why he slept in the jail cell. Of course I can’t say I never slept in the cell when I was an MP also. I’m sure it was fairly common practice in small towns and small bases where there wasn’t a whole lot of excitement. The key that is with it is the key he gave me. If I recall the cuffs were still on his duty belt when he gave them to me.

dltvette · #6 02-27-2019, 01:25 PM

Usmc5811,
Here are photos of the M-103 Stainless patent pending manufactured in Springfield, Mass. & M-103 Stainless with model number stamped on the
cuffs, manufactured in the Houlton, ME. plant.
Dave

les.b · #7 02-27-2019, 01:51 PM

Dave, If I knew, I forget....why did they start putting heads on the rivets??? For strength?

Best Regards, Les

dltvette · #8 02-27-2019, 02:44 PM

Les,
As far as I know, the Models 103 & 104, including the PAT'S PENDING versions, were the first that S&W manufactured using this rivet system.
All other cuffs were manufactured using the brazing method. I believe in 2011, the brazing method was discontinued and the using of rivets were incorporated on all models. These models were now marked with a "-1" i.e. M-100-1.
Dave
M-103 PAT'S PENDING
M-104 PAT'S PENDING
M-100-1

Usmc5811 · #9 02-27-2019, 04:33 PM

What year did they start making the 103’s. Thanks Travis

dltvette · #10 02-27-2019, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Usmc5811

What year did they start making the 103’s. Thanks Travis

Travis, the M-103 was introduced in 1979 when they moved their handcuff manufacturing to Houlton, ME. I do not know the exact dates they manufactured the Patent Pending models, but they are stamped with the Springfield, Mass. address.
Dave