Posted by J. Lauher on September 01, 2000 at 19:27:26:
In Reply to: Unknown Indian Darby type handcuffs. posted by Vickey Stroburg on September 01, 2000 at 08:22:58:
I would guess that any shackle marked WF&Co would
be a totally fabricated item, likely made within the
last few years, if not the last few weeks. Many
dealers on ebay and the other internet auctions as
well as many antique dealers across the nation are
now selling Darby style handcuff maked WF & Co or
Alcatraz or Yuma or whatever. The truth is if you
found an actual item used by Well Fargo it would
likely be a Tower handcuff or perhaps
a Providence Tool or Thompson Darby. It is highly
unlikely that it would be a generic unmarked Darby.
Last July at the Brimfield antique market in
Massachusetts I bought (from an honest dealer)
a Darby handcuff just like the one you describe
for a grand total of $17. I also saw similar
items prices at as much as $250. The $17 price
is ok. A good conversation item. I bought it just
for fun.
So if you fine a handcuff marked WF & Co and you
like it a a decrative item. And you are willing to
spend say $20 or $30 then go ahead and buy it.
Otherwise forget it. Use your money to buy a nice
Hiatt Darby for say $60-$75.
You will have a much better item and it will be
legit.
cheers
Joe