Thumbcuffs

[handcuffsdude]

So. I have two types of thumb-cuffs.


The first (top one), is a rather unusual pair i picked up at a Thai flea-market in the middle of nowhere.
Was the only one they had and wasn't in great shape (bit of rust etc) but i figured why not!
Unlike most thumbcuffs you can find on ebay etc these are actually chain-linked and have a non-standard key.
The key is a flat piece of metal with the standard 'flag shape'.
Normal handcuff keys do not fit.
Picking is the same as all other cuffs, find the ratchet release and press down. Use whatever tool you have handy.

The second set are standard 'ebay' Thumbcuffs.
Build quality is a bit higher than the thai ones, the rigid structure makes it a lot harder to pick in comparison.
One thing to note is that most keys are to large for these and that a smaller than normal 'flag' is required on the key to fit.


In summary:

For the Thai Thumbcuffs:

Shimmable? Yes. Easily
Pickable? Yes. Easily
Double locking? No.
Joint: Chain linked
Other vulnerabilities? Many people can slip these if their thumbs are not the required shape! Chain link appears to be weak in places but strength has not been tested.
Any Type of additional security? No.



For the 'eBay' thumbcuffs:

Shimmable? Yes. Easily
Pickable? Yes. Easily
Double locking? No.
Joint: Rigid
Other vulnerabilities? Many people can slip these if their thumbs are not the required shape!
Any Type of additional security? No.

If you'd like any additional pictures or details please let me know in the comments below.
My SLR is currently charging and i should have some higher-res shots in future

[Squelchtone]

are these actually ever used by any police department around the world or are these more of an interesting novelty that you can find at magic shops and army navy surplus stores?

Thanks
Squelchtone

[MBI]

are these actually ever used by any police department around the world or are these more of an interesting novelty that you can find at magic shops and army navy surplus stores?

Thanks
Squelchtone

My experience is limited so obviously I can't speak universally, but I haven't seen them used within the US or Canada. I also didn't see them used in the UK during my limited time there during the 90s.

In a society which is increasingly litigious, police officers are becoming less likely to use equipment which isn't officially sanctioned. Sometimes though you get a particularly dangerous or combative suspect so it wouldn't surprise me if some officers keep a set around for unforeseen situations.

Also I'd be surprised though if they weren't in use, officially or unofficially, in some less developed nations around the world. Infrastructure is occasionally lacking, police are often poorly funded and equipped, and in those circumstances people tend to make due with whatever they have available.

[LocksportSouth]

I can second the fact that these aren't used in the UK. As MBI mentioned, it'd be a legal minefield using something like that over here. I think police here carry the solid-body TCH ones (there's a pic in my thread), unless they have 'moved on' since then but it'll certainly be something similar. I can't speak for use in prisons and prisoner transport etc, though.

Nice pics! They are nifty, for sure. A great 'curio' item.

[kwoswalt99-]

For the 'eBay' thumbcuffs:

Shimmable? Yes. Easily
Pickable? Yes. Easily
Double locking? No.
Joint: Rigid
Other vulnerabilities? Many people can slip these if their thumbs are not the required shape!
Any Type of additional security? No.

I thought the two-way keyway was for the double locking mechanism.

[MBI]

I thought the two-way keyway was for the double locking mechanism.

No, it's one side of the keyway for each side of the cuffs.

[Jacob Morgan]

are these actually ever used by any police department around the world or are these more of an interesting novelty that you can find at magic shops and army navy surplus stores?

Thanks
Squelchtone

Took a look at Galls (a bona fide police supply outfit) and they do sell them and there are some comments from users who appear to be policemen. They were individual purchases, not department purchases. Pros were they were good for back up to regular hand cuffs and handy to have when off duty. Cons were that regular handcuff keys did not always work, they did not work on people with small thumbs, no double locking, and there are some tricks to getting out of them. Bottom line, probably no department issues them, but a handful of individual cops have been known to carry them.

Probably a case of it looks handy so they bought a set without asking the sheriff or chief permission. In some rural areas it may be only one deputy on patrol in the whole county at any given time and when taking in more than one suspect at a time it could make having thumb cuffs as a backup attractive.

There are also other people who do not work for a public law enforcement group (e.g., bounty hunters) who might resort to them.

[kwoswalt99-]

I thought the two-way keyway was for the double locking mechanism.

No, it's one side of the keyway for each side of the cuffs.

These are similar to the ones handcuffsdude has.

[handcuffsdude]

I thought the two-way keyway was for the double locking mechanism.

I think that was probably the intention, however this specific model i have (and i've actually got two of them) both don't have that mechanism.
I just double checked

I'm fairly sure I've seen thumbcuffs that look identical to these that do have it though... And i'm fairly sure that is why they have two key ways.