Introduction and Explanation

 Hello fellow collectors,

I am beginning this blog as a stop gap to fill in for the fact that restraintsblog appears defunct since 2023 and the forum at handcuffs.org (now Tapatalk) has become worse than a call of duty voice chat. I have enjoyed that forum very much but for the past year or more it has been entirely grumpy bastards fighting about sociopolitical issues.

What I liked most about restraintsblog was the regular rundown of noteworthy vintage/antique handcuffs, leg irons, and other locking items that passed through eBay, including photos, sellers description of items, and auction price.

I find those posts to be interesting and relevant, as a collector, on a regular basis, even if they have not been updated in years. Searching for any mention of a rare cuff, trying to identify the maker of items without makers marks, etc, this, the forum at handcuffs.org has also been a treasure trove of indepth historical information, advertisement copy, personal anecdotes, and sharing of knowledge and photos of items. 

As a collector now for about seven years, I have amassed a sizeable collection, some 80 pieces I think, although many of these are modern, common items. 

I have detailed part of my collection on the handcuffs forum a number of years back, particularly the succession of darby models from Hiatt steel through Hiatt pot metal alloy, to modern KUB nickel plated brass. 

As time allows I will work to post more of my own collection in the "Pages" section by catagory. I have delineated the categories and marked the unfinished ones with * markings. I will remove the * and a photo will be visible when that page is published. The "Pages" portion will be much more personal, as it will detail every piece in my own collection, my relationship to it, the context of certain examples in my collection, and how others and myself feel about the different designs/examples. 

I intend for the "Posts" to follow the style of restraintsblog by detailing the noteworthy cuffs that appear on eBay or Facebook groups for our own amusement, edification, and as a public record that will allow collectors to get a feel for how rare an item may be and the price trends over time. 

If you have anything to contribute, feel free to write. 

Darby Cobb & Lilly Daley 

P.S.  many posts contain multiple cuffs. One cuff may be the "headliner" and then I'll show some other examples for context, either other cuffs that have sold, are still for sale, or items from my own collection. 

Sometimes I will update posts, particularly if I list it before it sells. I will at least update the sold for price.