Peerless Handcuffs

[boykinlp]

I hope that I am posting this in the correct spot. I recently bought a pair of vintage Peerless Handcuffs. I got them for a good price, and they were in really nice condition, so I thought, why not? After doing some research, I found out that my Peerless Handcuffs are a Model 3, Version 2 later named by Peerless as Model 300. They are serial numbered 242004, and use a barrel key that will become the universal handcuff key employing the patent ‪1872857‬ lock mechanism and anti-shim notch on pawl. Lock body is redesigned. They were made while the manufacturing facility was still located at 91 Dwight St. I like that they have the Peerless logo on them. Many later ones didn’t.

The Model 3, Version 2 was after patent ‪1872857‬ is granted, it is included on stampings. Serial number is located on LF.
LF: “THE PEERLESS HANDCUFF CO.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.”
LR: “PATENT
‪1531451 1872857‬
MADE IN U.S.A.”
RF: “THE PEERLESS HANDCUFF CO.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.”
RR: “PATENT
‪1531451 1872857‬
MADE IN U.S.A.”
Peerless logo (242004) is located on RR

Dave, known as ditvette on the forum, is extremely knowledgeable on handcuffs. I PM’ed back and forth with him a few times with questions. He answered my questions and also suggested that I send a request to Peerless to find out the history of this pair of handcuffs. I found out the following information today:

Manufacture Date: 3/24/1952
Sold to: George F. Cake Co., 1200 5th St., Berkeley, CA

I then googled the George F. Cake Company, and found the information to be very interesting. George F. Cake was known as a police-tech-pioneer. The George F. Cake Co. of Berkeley, CA distributed guns, ammunition, badges, handcuffs, helmets, Mace, sirens and radar guns all over the West, and also taught police officers the use of teargas and submachine guns. The company started in 1934. In the 1950's and 1960's the George F. Cake Company was the largest distributor of law enforcement equipment on the west coast. He sold the business in 1971, but stayed on as company president until 1975.

Maybe some of you folks will find this interesting. Here are the seller’s pictures. The cuffs look even better now that I hit them with some Flitz and Renaissance Wax!
Larry

 

[JayCeeNC]

I queried Peerless about a set of 'cuffs a few years back.
Mine were from 1926.
Nice that they offer a "history" service.

 

[Nightowl]

Those appear to be nickel plated. Our department issued the blue ones for many years, I think because they were probably cheaper!!

 

[boykinlp]

I queried Peerless about a set of 'cuffs a few years back.
Mine were from 1926.
Nice that they offer a "history" service.

Yeah, I’m glad Dave put me on to that. Kinda like the S&W Letters, but not as much information. JayCeeNC, I’d love to see pictures of yours to see how they differ from mine.

Those appear to be nickel plated. Our department issued the blue ones for many years, I think because they were probably cheaper!!

They are nickel, Nightowl. Were yours made by Peerless? What timeframe was this?
Larry

 

[Nightowl]

Yeah, I’m glad Dave put me on to that. Kinda like the S&W Letters, but not as much information. JayCeeNC, I’d love to see pictures of yours to see how they differ from mine.



They are nickel, Nightowl. Were yours made by Peerless? What timeframe was this?
Larry

They were Peerless. I did not know of any other brand for many years until the Smith and Wesson ones appeared on the market. I still preferred Peerless, just because, I guess, that is what I started with. I began LE in 1967.

 

[WardenRoss]

They appear identical to my Peerless cuffs I have in the truck. IIRC mine purchased in 1988.


,

 

[JayCeeNC]

Yeah, I’m glad Dave put me on to that. Kinda like the S&W Letters, but not as much information. JayCeeNC, I’d love to see pictures of yours to see how they differ from mine.

Sorry, don't have any pics. I sold them off a few years back.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Over the years I have owned and used handcuffs by Peerless, Smith & Wesson, and American Munitions. No strong preferences for one over the other, all good and reliable for the purpose.

I don't recall every being issued handcuffs, always expected to purchase my own equipment. Department typically provided an initial allowance for uniforms and equipment, then an annual allowance for maintenance and replacements as needed. Never enough to cover all the costs, especially back in the days of wool uniforms and dry cleaning expenses (OUCH!).

Since retirement I have given all that stuff away to younger people who needed it. Kept a couple of badges and a few patches for sentimental value, but that's about it.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I used Peerless and S&W in my long LEO career. I got several pair of cuffs after unlocking kids who had put them on without a key. The parents were happy to give them to me. I used to carry a bobby pin clipped to my back pocket. I would practice unlocking cuffs with it in case somebody used my own cuffs on me. It never happened but I practiced it anyway. Mostly I amused rookies. A lot of bad guys know this trick also. I have retrieved a lot of handcuff keys and bobby pins from bad guys. I always looked for them. When transporting prisoners we used a special key, generally not available to the public. Also, when I retired I found a couple of leg irons in the cruiser before I turned it in. I have one hanging on a hook on my bathroom door for no reason. My daughter saw it, knew what it was, and asked why I had it there. "I never know when I might need it" was my reply.

 

[30-30remchester]

One of my best friends started his law enforcement career in the sheriff's department in California. His job mainly was to escort prisoner from jails to court. His first day there he replaced a man that had been there 30 years. My friend bought his handcuffs from him. Over the years they became close friends and started listing all the famous people who had been in these cuffs. My friend was a meticulous record keeper and had everything written down. He died unexpectedly a year ago and I hope his daughter found the cuffs and the records. I do recall Charles Manson and Ronald Reagon's daughter Patty Davis were aquatinted with the cuffs.

I have a pair of Peerless my grandsons play with. Living in the forest we often have bears around the house. One morning a bear had been on the porch several times, so I told the young grandsons when they go outside to be careful and stay close to a building. Hadn't seen out 10-year-old for a while and went looking for him. He had handcuffed himself to a tree and had forgotten to bring the key with him. Told his younger brother to get the key but by the time he got to the house he had forgot. They make you so proud somedays.

 

[boykinlp]

Also, when I retired I found a couple of leg irons in the cruiser before I turned it in. I have one hanging on a hook on my bathroom door for no reason. My daughter saw it, knew what it was, and asked why I had it there. "I never know when I might need it" was my reply.

Charlie, you should have told her, with a sly smile on your face, “Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies!”!
Larry