French Lyon Presto Handcuffs

These unique handcuffs sold for $455 after only two bids. There is one key which seller states is possibly original. 

The seller states that these are aluminum cuffs with an iron chain. Note the double swivels and the two bitted key. 

The seller further states:

 "Offered is an EXTREMELY RARE pair of French PRESTO LYON DEPOSE BREVETE Handcuffs with working key (possibly original key but not known with certainty). Collectors of Antique Handcuffs will recognize this as one of the least known, and least produced handcuffs ever to come out of France, which is why they are almost never seen up on auction. According to Mr. Nichol's "Guidebook to HANDCUFFS of the World" book, Volume 2, although little is known about them, they were apparently patented in Lyon, France, receiving Patent # 547.991 on February 22, 1922, by an M. Oscar Mussilier. (The word "brevete" means "patent' in French). The cuffs are made of aluminum, while the 20-inch-long chain is iron. The locks on both cuffs work well, and they unlock with the key as they should. Inside of each lock case is a double-pawl system which requires the supplied split bitted key.  

They are NOT of "swing-thru" design, but rather the bow is stopped by the lock case. A small thumb-activated lever near the hinge blocks the bow and keeps it in the "open" position so as to prevent the bow from locking prematurely until readied by the officer. Both of these levers work but take some finesse to place them in just the right spot. The odd shape of the bows helps to facilitate opening the cuffs with one hand. Each cuff is embossed with the words "PRESTO", "LYON", "DEPOSE" and "BREVETE". There is speculation that there may have once been a company located in Lyon, France that produced handcuffs in the 1920's named "Presto", but this is not confirmed. Re: the word "Depose", it roughly translates to "to remove" or "take-off" in relation to handcuffs.

From Mr. Nichol's excellent book "Guidebook to HANDCUFFS & Other Restraints of the World" (Volume 2), Dr. Busch states: "Almost nothing is known about the French "Lyon Presto" handcuffs. Undoubtably, they belong to the rarest restraints of French origin"... (emphasis added).

One theory is that they were produced in very small numbers because they simply were not very popular with police officers. Afterall, by 1922 swing-thru handcuffs were already in production and were viewed as much easier to utilize. Another question is, why the long chain? The bows are too small for leg irons, but nevertheless, Presto Lyon handcuffs quite often came with a 20-inch-long chain. (There was indeed another variant that came with a short, two-link chain).  

Note: The Lyon Presto handcuff was originally designed with a spring inside of the bows near the hinge that helped the bows to "spring" open once unlocked with the keys. Alas, the 104-year-old springs in these handcuffs are too weak to "pop" open the bows. But of course, you can still open them with your fingers like any other handcuff once you unlock them. (Incidentally, I have seen a video out there of a pair of Presto Lyon shackles that had their springs professionally replaced so as to allow them to "spring" open, but again, it isn't necessary). " End quote.