Posted by Michael Griffin on February 06, 2001 at 20:36:24:
In Reply to: Re: McKenzie Mitts - The Ultimate Collectors Dream? posted by Stan Willis on February 06, 2001 at 14:30:15:
: Congratulations!
: I'm hardly a new collector, but I will reply anyway. The ultimate addition to my collection would be Chris Gowers' collection.
: I've always considered American cuffs as my first love in the collection, so I think The G.P Houston cuff and the Kimball cuff are super rare. I also need a delestatius and a few other US cuffs.
: Maybe Chris could explain what the Spanish Death Penalty cuffs, Old Tower of London Pattern Wedge Lock legirons are, and what is meant by "3 start left hand thread"
: I did'nt used to like new cuffs, but now I buy all unusual new items I can find, and hope they are obsolete in a few years.
: Stan
: : At last I have a set of McKenzie Mitts. Have waited over 30 years to get them! They are in superb condition and are nickel plated. They are one of the 20 already known and I believe the first pair to find their way out of America.
: : So are they the ultimate? Well they are certainly not the rarest handcuffs that exist. For example the Delestatius are probably 4 times rarer, the Spanish Death Penalty cuffs, Old Tower of London Pattern Wedge Lock legirons both 10 times rarer and the Hiatt Plug '8' legirons with 3 start left hand threaded key which Houdini failed to escape from 20 times rarer.
: : Well I now think the Mitts are the ultimate - the only pair of handcuffs ever patented and produced which were too good. Their design is unique and unlike any other pattern restraint in existance.
: : Would dearly love to hear from some of our newer collectors what they consider the ultimate addition to their collection would be.
: : Chris Gower
Hi there I loved the cuffs in your picture how about some more (I need to salivate over the keyboards) I have my favorites I own a Kimball and one bizarre cuff that was made by Mattatuck as their version of the Tower Kahlke cuff and yes you have to fully open the bows to cock the lock. Also, a Hiatt made Griffin pattern cuff (stan will know what Im talking about as he has the only one I've seen outside mine.
I have a bunch of regular cuffs that I think are cool like Phelps, Mckenzie Mitts, Horst Stein Prison, Gill Folding etc...
Keep up the great work I hope someday to have some of your pieces!