Hello,
I'm currently researching the Wisner Hoyt Handcuff, patented in 1869.
I have documented current known handcuffs, and am wondering if anyone else
has one out there. I'd like for anyone with this handcuff to drop me an email.
Also, I have people researching historical records in Saginaw, MI looking
for manufacturing companies from 1865-1875 hoping to find who made it.
Thanks for any help.
I know of 9 existing handcuffs now, and am wondering if anyone
else has one. Thanks for the help. John Bushey

Hello everyone,
I've documented 12 Wisner Hoyt's so far. THanks for the help.
Please if anyone out there has one, contact me. Nothing will go public
without further emails or permission from owners. I have photos of
all of them coming my way. I'm looking into the manufacturer now, and
if I find out anything will do an article for the next annual.
Thanks again, and if there are any more out there let me know!
Best Wishes, John Bushey

John, Best bet is to try the Michigan historical museum archives.

Who knows, they may even have a pair of these Wisner & Hoyt handcuffs

in their vast inventory of artifacts that the public never gets to see.

http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17445_19273_19313---,00.html

http://www.sos.state.mi.us/history/museum/explore/museums/hismus/prehist/civilwar/undergro.html

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Old slave irons from the museums underground railroad exhibit..

Hello fellow collectors,
THANKS VERY MUCH to all who have helped with my research so far.
No names yet, but I may be asking if I can use names later.
I have turned up 12 or 13 pair so far, and possibly located the
manufacturer of the Wisner Hoyt Handcuff. A few have sent me stories of
how they got their cuff, and a few are fascinating, and I will be asking
permission to use the stories in an article. Also Thanks to a few of you
who sent a great photo of a Hardeen display board with a Wisner, and also
those who gave me leads which lead to find a few more out there. I'm working
on two more now, and will keep all informed. Don't know why I'm even doing this but it keeps me from doing housework.

Thanks,
John Bushey

PS--To those who said they'd send photos of their Wisner cuffs thanks much, and
I await the photos to come. I'm comparing them for an differences, and also
just documenting each one that is out there. I hope to hear from the lady
named Melissa who also said her dad had one.