Alrighty...LE, Retired LE and MP/SP....Let's talk handcuffs
- Thread starter MelvinWalker
- Start date
When I went to soft threads I packed
these....still have them (somewhere).
these....still have them (somewhere).
I once had a pair of Colt handcuffs. Gave 'em away. Now they are worth a bunch of money.
I used S&W cuffs during my years as a deputy, a correctional officer, as a police officer and as an armed security officer in a Federal office building. I owned both the pin type and the sliding bar type. Never had a problem with either kind.
I keep two pair of cuffs in my car. If I have to leave a firearm unattended for any length of time, I cuff it to one of the anchor points in the hatchback, covered of course.
BTW, S&W built Peerless cuffs in Springfield, Mass, but in a different factory.
I used S&W cuffs during my years as a deputy, a correctional officer, as a police officer and as an armed security officer in a Federal office building. I owned both the pin type and the sliding bar type. Never had a problem with either kind.
I keep two pair of cuffs in my car. If I have to leave a firearm unattended for any length of time, I cuff it to one of the anchor points in the hatchback, covered of course.
BTW, S&W built Peerless cuffs in Springfield, Mass, but in a different factory.
Last edited:
"Back in the olden days", I carried two sets of Peerless cuffs on my "Sam Brown". Also, in my duty bag, I had a couple sets of flex cuffs, a set of leg irons, for anyone who ran from me, and belly chain for the BIG boys/gals who were too wide for two sets of cuffs daisy chained together.
Peerless for 33 years. Click, click, click
lawandorder
Member
Mostly Smiths, multiple sets. The one set I used most of the time have been engraved.
Keepsake.
Keepsake.
I was issued S&W 'cuffs in the military, but carried an old pair of Peerless from 1926 that my dad used.
I bought a pair of S&W aluminum 'cuffs in 1974 and carried them on and off for the next 25 years, mostly when I was a detective.
I bought a pair of S&W aluminum 'cuffs in 1974 and carried them on and off for the next 25 years, mostly when I was a detective.
I was issued a set of Peerless cuffs when I signed on. Later, I purchased second pair and a set of hinge cuffs, all Peerless.
I carried the chain cuffs in front of my handgun and the hinge cuffs behind.
I was able to access the front cuffs with both hands and reserved the hinge cuffs for non compliant suspects. The do have the advantage of leverage. The third set was in my go bag.
Later, flex cuffs became common for backup but I always carried two pair on my duty belt.
I observed that even cops usually placed little emphasis on carrying cuffs. Once, on a stakeout, I was in on the arrest of a robbery suspect with local detectives and federal agents. When the perp was face down on the pavement the call went out…who has cuffs?
I did. I reminded the arresting agent that I wanted them back.
I carried the chain cuffs in front of my handgun and the hinge cuffs behind.
I was able to access the front cuffs with both hands and reserved the hinge cuffs for non compliant suspects. The do have the advantage of leverage. The third set was in my go bag.
Later, flex cuffs became common for backup but I always carried two pair on my duty belt.
I observed that even cops usually placed little emphasis on carrying cuffs. Once, on a stakeout, I was in on the arrest of a robbery suspect with local detectives and federal agents. When the perp was face down on the pavement the call went out…who has cuffs?
I did. I reminded the arresting agent that I wanted them back.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,479
- Reaction score
- 6,022
I got a used pair of nickel Jay Pees from an old hand when I started in 78. A couple years later I moved to a dept where SOP was to carry 2 pair, so I picked up a pair of the pin-locking S&Ws. I etched my SN into the S&Ws to make sure I got them back from the jail. Expected the Jay-Pee to break down or get lost, but they lasted my whole career.
Model 15-4ever
Member
My agency used Peerless, and that is what we were taught on, but when I was hired back in the stone age, cuffs were not issued to every agent, after the Academy you had to give them back and buy your own.
Didn't care for the S&W design.
I looked at the Bianchi handcuffs, and the ratchet was actually several thinner sections designed to resist picking. I used them for about 12 years until the unique ratchet system wore out from use, and the teeth of the sections sort of fused together and were no longer independent.
After that I used Peerless. As DT instructor I taught with Peerless, and also a set of Hiatts chained cuffs with keyless release. Didn't care for hinged cuffs with the exception of a pair of aluminium Hiatts I used for off-duty.
Didn't care for the S&W design.
I looked at the Bianchi handcuffs, and the ratchet was actually several thinner sections designed to resist picking. I used them for about 12 years until the unique ratchet system wore out from use, and the teeth of the sections sort of fused together and were no longer independent.
After that I used Peerless. As DT instructor I taught with Peerless, and also a set of Hiatts chained cuffs with keyless release. Didn't care for hinged cuffs with the exception of a pair of aluminium Hiatts I used for off-duty.
Last edited:
Peerless
Me too. Was issued Peerless serial # 940655 December 1979. Had to turn in cuffs when I retired in 2012, so I gave them a set of S&W cuffs I also had acquired and kept the peerless.
Me too. Was issued Peerless serial # 940655 December 1979. Had to turn in cuffs when I retired in 2012, so I gave them a set of S&W cuffs I also had acquired and kept the peerless.
elkhunter77
Member
I have a set of peerless that my grandfather used as a Chicago cop. My 3 sets I carry every day are all Smith and Wesson. Sometimes, for a special suspect, I dig out my grandfathers old cuffs and use them.
Ingramite
Member
There is still a pair of Peerless on the seat frame of my pickup.
I use them to secure my pistol when I have to go to the Post Office or other restricted zone where CCW is prohibited.
Concealed under the front seat and locked to the floor/seat. I can live with that for 10 minutes at a time. Just pass a cuff through the trigger guard.
When we were just starting out and living in an apartment my revolver was secured to the P-trap, under the bathroom sink with my handcuffs. Not gun safe secure but it was the best work around I could come up with until our furniture budget had room for a safe.
I use them to secure my pistol when I have to go to the Post Office or other restricted zone where CCW is prohibited.
Concealed under the front seat and locked to the floor/seat. I can live with that for 10 minutes at a time. Just pass a cuff through the trigger guard.
When we were just starting out and living in an apartment my revolver was secured to the P-trap, under the bathroom sink with my handcuffs. Not gun safe secure but it was the best work around I could come up with until our furniture budget had room for a safe.
xfarfuldog
Member
When I first started we had to furnish our own cuffs. My first pair were Jay pees which worked just fine. I soon purchased a pair of Peerless. They became my main carry cuffs. The Jay pees were kept in my briefcase as extras. I kept one flex cuff cuff in my hat (When your foot hits the ground, the hat goes on your head.) and a few extras in my briefcase. I did try the hinged Peerless cuffs and they immediately broke. Peerless refused to do anything about it. So I advised them I would let every student know that when I taught DT in our basic police academy. I have my cuffs somewhere around my apartment. I would not want to have to explain to an officer why I would have cuffs in my car, sounds a little creepy?
Supadupa69
Member
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2023
- Messages
- 168
- Reaction score
- 338
Hinged or bust for the special folk
CelticSire
US Veteran
One of the things I stressed to the rookies when I taught at the Academy was that if you're going to carry gun off duty, make sure you carry a set of cuffs as well. That way when you take action off duty, you can cuff the suspect and put your gun away for when the on-duty guys (and gals) show up to the scene. Can be bad juju if you're standing around with your gun drawn.
By All Means Chain LInk!
I spent 48 years on the job and was director of the Flint Michigan Police Academy (LERTA) for 2 years. Never liked the hinged, hard to apply especially when your prisoner was struggling and more than once I saw prisoners injured by them when used.
Peerless, established in 1914 in Springfield Mass., contracted with Smith & Wesson in 1920 to produce 1000 pairs of their handcuffs. Roy Jinks. stated Smith & Wesson was clearly working on the design and early patents for various upgrades to the early Peerless handcuffs. S&W produced their cuffs up until 1940, some sources say. Now in its fourth generation, Peerless® Handcuff Company remains a family business. S&W started producing handcuffs in 1960. I got my first set issued to me in 1969, along with a 5" M-10, another great S&W product!
I've used both and had no problems with either.
I spent 48 years on the job and was director of the Flint Michigan Police Academy (LERTA) for 2 years. Never liked the hinged, hard to apply especially when your prisoner was struggling and more than once I saw prisoners injured by them when used.
Peerless, established in 1914 in Springfield Mass., contracted with Smith & Wesson in 1920 to produce 1000 pairs of their handcuffs. Roy Jinks. stated Smith & Wesson was clearly working on the design and early patents for various upgrades to the early Peerless handcuffs. S&W produced their cuffs up until 1940, some sources say. Now in its fourth generation, Peerless® Handcuff Company remains a family business. S&W started producing handcuffs in 1960. I got my first set issued to me in 1969, along with a 5" M-10, another great S&W product!
I've used both and had no problems with either.
Procedures.
While we're reminiscing here. Did any agency or department allow you to handcuff the individual to a stationary object?
It was strictly forbidden where I worked.
.
While we're reminiscing here. Did any agency or department allow you to handcuff the individual to a stationary object?
It was strictly forbidden where I worked.
.
oink
Member
I don't actually remember if it was in our policy manual when we finally got one but it's been know to happen on occassion.
-----------------
I think I was only ever issued Peerless cuffs although I did buy a couple of pairs of the stainless Smiths with the slide double lock. I actually liked the slide lock.
I was issued a pair of hinged one time but I never got it back after one of those group arrests where they were hauled away by someone else. I don't know if I ended my career with any cuffs I was issued and only one pair of my Smiths. Even the marked ones tended to get mixed up.
I generally carried two sets of cuffs on my belt and two more on the spotlight handle.
I believe my leg chains were Hiatts.
I have one old pair an old widdow gave me her husband had carried up north somewhere. I need to give them to some young cop now.
Similar threads
