Rankin Handcuffs and Shackles

These very rare antique handcuffs were made by Andrew Rankin, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

This pair sold for $783 after 27 bids with the original key. 

Above, note the distinctive design features: the half moon shape of the cuffs and the dip for yanking the irons open after unlocking. 

 This is a screw in key but the operation is more complicated than the screw in Darby key. I do not have a pair of these, but the process is described as follows: 

"screw the key in 2 to 2.5 full rotations. Pull the key firmly outward to retract the internal locking wedge. Continuing to pull the key, now insert a finger into the indent of the cuff and pull hard. The cuff will open."

And to lock,  "with the bows open, pull the key outward. Push the shackles *nearly* closed to align, and then SLAM them closed. The spring loaded wedge will then lock the shackle in place. Push the key firmly inward, ensuring the wedge is set. Unscrew counter clockwise." 

Andrew Rankin also made leg irons, which are very very rare and do not have the distinct dip in the cuff. I would imagine they are loose enough to allow the cuff to be yanked open when needed. 

Andrew Rankin was assigned the rights to the patent #33,917 from Alfred Delestatious, (maker of the Delestatious handcuffs.) He also ran a successful foundry where he produced locks and other hardware. 

When he came up with his own improved design, he was granted patent #52,745. 

From what I can find, I understand it that Rankin Delestatious handcuffs were the ones without the dip for pulling open, and the latter model was the Rankin Handcuffs with the dip. 

Side note, I've been working on the "Pages" please check out the Hiatt section. Coming up next, Modern Manufacturers (Smith and Wesson, Peerless, ASP, Chicago), American Handcuff Company, and Clejuso. 

This is an extremely rare A. Rankin Leg Iron.