HI all,
I just picked up a non-working Maltby round-key single handcuff on a long
3+ foot chain with a 4 inch ring on the end. Probably a chain gang piece.
Anyway, it was unlocked but would not cock to lock. I called the Master,
Ian McColl, and found it is not riveted together but screwed. So, since I'm
into it for $50 I decided it was worth the education to all of us (OK, rationalizing - I mean me) and I drilled the screws. I pulled the top plate off
and found it was missing several parts. Ian has a handcuff with broken castings and is sending me the parts I need. Anyway, for those who have never seen one,
there are A LOT of little parts inside this baby. I now have it all cleaned up,
although this photo was taken after I opened it, and it will work when done.
I'm write a nice little article for the next annual on how they operate.
All parts here now work fine and I await three springs and one more small piece
from Ian. I'll photograph the whole process, and have an article for the next annual. It's a fun diversion from my unfinished projects.
John

Hi John, I heard on the phone the other day,, " only a crazy man would pull one of these apart" (welcome to the club)

The lock and parts are in the mail.

Ian

Hi John

Check out this old post I did on the Maltby. There are better pictures in the response by Dorson.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/message/1236717898/Inside+the+Maltby

Ron

Hi, thanks for the link to the other photos. The Maltby pictured is the same as mine and as Santini says, "is prone to cracking" and my cuff, being sent to John, is broken in the same places.

Ian

The back side of the cuff is also more prone to rust. I bought a Maltby
detective on ebay, the picture of the cuff looked to be in good condition.
When I got the cuff the front was good but the back side was rust.
Lesson learned is to ask seller for pictures of both sides of cuff.
Gordon

I know some are going to cringe at this suggestion but what about taking the steel maltby's apart. Then have the rust loose rust removed with wire brush and then remove the rest electrolytically and then plated with nickel or chrome.

John's Maltby with a lead chain and large ring at the end is a stock item made by Mattatuck for prisoner escort.

I remember seeing them offered this way in an old Sears Roebuck catalogue.

Cheers, Steve Santini

I have two of them. One was used by the Texas Rangers. I got it from his family.

Ron