Towers Detective Handcuffs x2

This is a very nice set of Towers Detective Handcuffs which match the super rare Towers Detective Leg Irons which sold a while back. The engraving is the same W.W. Mason 1895. 

 

This pair sold for $256.50 after 17 bids. 

The matching leg irons sold for $1,194.99 in early March. 

W.W. Mason almost certainly here refers to William Wright Mason, a prison warden in Iowa at the Anamosa Penitentiary. Prior to this he was the sheriff of Cedar County, Iowa and he also served as a Captain in the 35th Infantry during the Civil War. 

All this is to say that he was likely presented this matching set of custom engraved restraints in 1895 during major updates occuring in the Penal System at the time. 

One hundred and thirty years later, the combination which would have cost around $13 at the time, is worth nearly $1,500.00. The $13 would be about $500 in today's dollars. 

Here's another pair with an unusually long key. This pair sold for $137.50 after 21 bids.