This will be a brief report on the Indy Lock Show. The handcuff people at the show were Mark Lundblad, Damon Shields, Chuck Chandler, The Amazing Michael, newcomer Vince, and myself. It was the slowest show that I can remember. I did buy a few things and I sold a few things, and added something to the colelction that I've never seen in person before. It is a metal device for holding Tower chain twisters. I will post a picture when I take one. Unfortunately no rare cuffs turned up at the show. We did have the best weather we've ever had for the show.
I told you this would be brief.
Stan

Picture of the Tower Twister Holder. How many are out there ?
Stan

Dear Stan,

I have seen them before. They turn up occasionally. They merit some level of scarce, yet not rare, although I'm certain there are many more Bean Giants in existence than there are twister holders. The twister holder once was a fairly common accessory. In New York, for instance, the chain nipper was required equipment long before a pair of handcuffs were. Hence the twister holder with its coat-button hanger.

The chain nipper in your photograph was made long after the twister holders ceased being manufactured; i.e., the nipper is much newer.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

Thanks for the info Jack:
I put the twisteer with the holder to show how it was used. Can you post a picture showing which Tower made twister would've been used with this holder.
Thanks
Stan

The lock show was a lot of fun. The cuff collectors were a small but enthusiastic group.

After pestering some of the lock collectors (great people) for a Bean Giant I was directed to this interesting item. A 110 pound working pad lock. I guess size does count no matter what you call it!

Dear Stan,

Below are two Tower chain nippers from the period. Either routinely would have been seen in the Tower holder. The holder, sold on its own, also often held Bean, Baldwin and other non-Tower-made twisters.





This is the chain nipper in your photo. It was the last American chain nipper design, having pleasingly nice lines, close to the Art Moderne style.



The leather holders, which nearly all collectors know, came later. Curiously, whilst American-made, the majority I have found held German twisters. Between the two world wars, Germany exported large quantities of its excellent chain nippers to the US.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

Hello Stan & All,

I appreciate the update on the Indy show. Sorry I couldn't attend. Best, Paul

Now theres what i need to lock up my handcuff collection a big 110 pound lock.I want one stan did anyone buy that or was it for show ..i want it.

Did Stan not see and/or buy the 220 pound handcuffs?

Stan IS a 220 pound handcuff.
I don't know if the 110 pound padlock was for sale. Maybe Damon knows. I only see handcuffs, although I did hear the lock when it was opened and closed. It was VERY loud.

The 110 pound padlock was not for sale, just on display. It was a great show even though there were not too many cuffs there.....at least not too many cuffs for sale (I had a large cuff collection set up for display only). I sold a few sets of cuffs and one single leg iron but didn't buy any. The coolest thing I bought was this big brass discus style lock from Argentina:




It didn't have a key and had not been opened for quite some time, but I went to work on it right away. It takes 3 turns of the key to rotate the shackle all the way open; it moves about 1/2" with every turn......it's really neat! I hate to write this on a handcuff forum, but I am ready to slow down on cuffs and concentrate on padlocks and keys for a while. Padlocks and keys are, for the most part, are a heck of a lot more plentiful than cuffs and a lot cheaper to collect. I can still add to my collection on a semi-regular basis even in tough economic times.

I didn't take many pictures at the show and of the ones that I did take, many didn't turn out. I posed with Stan in one picture but I don't think that Pete Schafer actually snapped it.....it was not in the memory at all. So here are a few pics that did turn out:












Cheers, Mike D~C/

Hey Michael,

Nice display you put on!

I especially love those handcuff display cases, LOL!

Looks like there were some amazing locks there.

I especially like the stuff in the second pic from the bottom.

One of these days I will have to get to this show.

Cheers, Steve Santini

That was the display that won first place for displays. Displays are voted on by table holders.
Stan

Thanks Steve.....and thanks again for the display boards!!! They are a great way to move around and display locks, cuffs, and restraints! I would like to get one more board to dedicate exclusively to padlocks.

BTW, here is an item that got a lot of attention at the show that you might recognize:



I had it sitting on top of one of the boards and several people came over and played around with it. Thanks for adding it to the collection! =)

The display that you are talking about with the ER railroad locks, ball locks, and the "mini storylock handcuffs" belongs to my friend Jeff Strumberger and as Stan mentioned, it won 1st place in the display contest. He had some stiff competition from Mark Bates (my pick for best display)!

You are always welcome at the lock shows whenever you want to make the trip!

Cheers, Mike D~C/