Harvard Lock Company Handcuffs and Leg Irons
This is a fairly modern swing through ratcheting handcuff from the Harvard Lock Company. While the New York company also produced padlocks and door locks, they primarily made these handcuffs and a matching set of leg irons which were supplied to the military and particularly the US Navy.
Above, another example of these new old stock or surplus Harvard Lock Company leg irons. $175 Buy It Now on eBay.These are a direct precursor to the modern swing through ratcheting handcuffs and leg irons. They function identically other than the double lock being activated by inserting the key in the keyhole and turning it the opposite direction to double lock.
These sold for $21.50 after 13 bids. There was no key and these are DAMAGED as one chain link is cut through. These are not extremely rare, and when they do come up, they often have the box and two keys, which would indicate either surplus or new old stock from a warehouse or back room somewhere. Interestingly, I've noticed this two key tendency in only one other antique/vintage cuff, and that is the JG 1952 Darby handcuff. Usually, one key is all you can really hope.
Above, detail of the faint stamp from Harvard Lock CompanyBelow, a different pair with a much more solid stamp.
Below, Harvard Lock Company Handcuffs with two original keys, instruction card, and original box, $49 on eBay.I do not have an example of these, although I do have a pair of the Harvard Lock Company leg irons, which I got for $41 after 2 bids.
They are double locking via the keyhole, and have no swivel. The cuffs themselves are very adjustable; they range from about Smith and Wesson 1900 size, down to almost as small as the matching handcuffs.









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