I had myself some edumacation today

Until today, I was always under the impression that 926 cuffs were polished aluminum with the logos not in the 'normal' spot, but a smaller logo set on the fixed bow. 925 nickel plated aluminum cuffs have normal looking logos in all the right places and look like nickel cuffs until you pick them up.

Well! I discovered today, my 3rd variation of polished 926 aluminum cuffs. These have the normal logos in the normal places for S&W cuffs.

The other two 926 types are small logos on fixed bow, serial on lockcase; and the other has the serial on one of the fixed bows.

So, that now makes identifying pictures on eBay even harder! Now the only way to spot 925 cuffs is if they have the nickel plating on top of the aluminum. And that is sometimes not easy on eBay. Especially when the seller doesn't know one metal from another.

Sigh... isn't collecting fun!

GRAHAM :: well the day is not over so here you can learn some more.... IF one is to call small changes in the design of S&W cuffs NOT counting how the cuffs are marked, there are probably 3 or 4 DIFFERENT model 925 cuffs... IE::: same with the 926 cuffs.... then looking at it from your point of view add a couple more for the way they are marked.... joe

Hey Joe, perhaps then you could help educate me further by elaborating on some of the design differences in both 925 and 926 cuffs. I have read somewhere that 925 and 926 cuffs were also made blued? Is that true?

Thanks - Graham

i have never seen any blued models MYSELF...... check the INDENT GUIDE positions.... joe

Ok, what makes these model 925 ? They don't look plated to me. They look like polished aluminum model 926.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290230117282

Experts?

they are model 926..... joe

So why do you think so, Joe?

I added two more pictures and some comments to the auction, why I personally believe that these are M-925.

Here they are:

Here you can see the offered item on the right and on the left another S&W lightweight handcuff from my personal collection which is less shiny and reflective.



Moreover the offered piece has a small spot where it seems like a bit of the thin nickel plating layer is worn off.



Best regards,
Guenter

GUENTER :: i sent you a couple of photos.... hope you got them..... joe

Joe sent me some pictures.



Picture 1 shows a very shiny M-926.



Picture 2 a shows M-926 on top and M-925 on bottom.



Picture 3 shows a M-926 on the left and M-925 on the right.

And finally here is a picture of my auction cuffs on the right and comparison cuffs on the left. Joe told me that model 926 cuffs are marked on the stationary bow and model 925 cuffs are marked on the cuff body.



Now have a look at the markings of my cuffs! The less shiny cuffs seem to be model M-925. That's funny!

Thank you once again to Joe and Graham!

Best regards,
Guenter

Now go back and read the first message of this thread.

I have a polished aluminum 926 with the logos on the lockcase like 925 or 90's.

Variations will make a person go mad!

Opps, hit the respnd key too quick...

So in the 4th picture, the left cuff is (IMO) a polished aluminum 926 with the logos on the lockcase as I described in the first message.

Hi Graham,

I give up. Why do you think that the left one is also a M-926? The finish looks definitely different to the right one (the auction one) and to a one from my collection identical to the right one.

Best regards,
Guenter

GRAHAM ::: i am not doubting you, as over the years i have learned that any thing is possible.... can you post a photo of the cuff along with your other 925 & 926 cuffs.... also, could your cuff have been plated at one time & it has just all been taken off ????? by the way, have you checked the indent guides ??? joe

Here’s a S&W “Airweight” that has absolutely No markings, numbers, or text on it….Nothing!

I’ve physically compared to it 5 other various S&W Airweights that I own – and there is no doubt in my mind that this is a true S&W product.

The mystery is – how or why it was allowed to leave the factory in this condition.





Here’s a S&W Airweight with round hinge pins.

I have no reason to doubt that these were factory-installed…perhaps for a customer-request, or as a proto-type?