I just came back from Finland were I purchased a few cuffs from a collection. One of them is this strange Tower Bottom Key copy. As you can see, they are made of brass/steel which is quite unusual. They differ from the original in all aspects; different hinges, bigger key hole, the moving bows are thicker, just to mention a few details. I have no idea who or were they were manufactured but they are very well made. Pictures below.

Lars

Nice find Lars..

LARS: we use to have several types of handcuffs made on the same line as your bottom edge key cuff.... in fact, if my memory serves me correctly, we have a tower bottom edge key EXACTLY like then one you just got, a much larger heavier bottom edge key cuff, a HEAVY TRHICK tower style cuff, a couple of other different, but yet on the same line cuffs that were BRASS & STEEL etc etc..... they are in other collectors collections now & maybe they will be kind enough to post photos..... some of them may have been shown at the ESCAPE ARTIST conventions or lock shows..... my father in law ( PRYNCE WHEELER ) had them labeled as RUSSIAN/FINISH cuffs as he got a few of them from TIMO many many years ago & my DAD's records state that TIMO stated that they were RUSSIAN & FINISH made.... but does not state which from which counrty...... joe

Thanks Joe for the imformation! Very interesting indeed. These cuffs actually belonged to Timo's collection. My guess, according to finish, is that they might be made in Finland. Do you have any information about what time they were manufactured? If anyone else have pictures of similar copies, please post them here.

Thanks, Lars

Gordon sent me these pictures of his cuffs. They are pretty similar to my cuffs but differ in details.
This is what Gordon writes:
My cuff is larger and it double locks. The double lock is like no other handcuff. On the side of the lock case there is a screw that sticks out. To double lock the screw is turned in with a screw driver.



/Lars

LARS: yep, super nice of GORDON to share the photo.... MAN, i really miss that cuff !!! GORDY - how about GIFTING it back to me ????? CHRISTMAS is coming.... thanks for sharing.... joe