handcuffs

[raimundo]

In todays minneapolis, Star Tribune, business section (D section) the cover story on embezzlement, the illustration shows hands cuffed, it seems to be a photo, on the link between the cuffs you can actually see the cut/break punchpressed edge of the link.
These handcuffs are made as stampings, with some pressbreak edges, the key hole suggests a lever type locking mechanism.
Not sure if this photo appears online, but there are members locally,

What brand are these handcuffs, does anyone know if its a lever lock, ?

[unjust]

didn't see the image rai, i'll have to ask my parents to save the section (i recycled mine) or if you have it and want to grab coffee next week i can look then. this week is a little hectic due to moving.

i'm not familiar with any true lever lock bracelets mfg'd in the usa, all of the hs ones are pin tumbler, and the regular type are just an pin ward sorta thing.

there were some antique larger bracelets that used a lever lock akin to mortise locks, but smaller, but those were mostly a local production item afaik.

[djslacker]

I've been working at the State Fair and I see a lot of cops walking around and I haven't noticed what you guys are talking about, but I have noticed that the keyway is in the center of the locking mechanism and not off to a side like other handcuffs. I don't know how long they have been like this since I haven't had the privilege of seeing any up close lately. I would say that having hinged cuffs with the keyway in the center would make for a pretty challenging pick.

[unjust]

that's a brand thing. iirc peerless or s&w has them in an different location than everyone else, but it's still a standard key.

i'm surpirsed they carry them in the open. i only do that for "show" i.e. at goth clubs or rocky horror picture show. carrying them professionally they're in something designed to hold them quietly, securely and easy to grab. through a belt is not a secure method, and the cuff loops it's too easy to get them bumped off of the setting you have them on for fast application.

[raimundo]

The pair in the photo graph had one of those things, I don't know if its exactly called a curtain, but it contains the keyway on many flat key leverlocks, and turns with the key inside it, you can see it's circular end and in the photo it is not aligned with the rest of the keyslot which is on the outside of the pick. If I can find the photo I'll see if I can find unjusts phone number on my phone.

think of the flat key lever locks where you can see a spinning center that contains half the visible keyslot, while a bit more of it is in the lockface and the two have to be aligned to put the key in, but are often misaligned when you see them. thats the best I can describe it, except to say that this is not a spinner on the face of the lock, but actually has the keyway cut into it all the way to the back of the lock and the whole thing spins. I think on some locks, this is also the bolt pickup while the key contains only bitting for the tumblers.