Re: Indian Darby's

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: Thank you, : I didn't pay to much for these, in fact : I bought them on ebay where the seller told me : that these cuffs had markings "Union Pacific : CS 21" and "roadway&baggage". When they arrived : in the mail they didn't have these markings at all, : but instead said "India". Have you ever heard of : Handcuffs with these markings on them? I suspect : that the seller didn't get as much from the auction : as he had wished and decided to send me these indian : cuffs in their place. I have written him, questioning : this situation but he has not responed. : I am just getting collecting handcuffs, something I have always : had an interest in since childhood. Could you : recommend some good recources other then ebay? : Thanks, : Jack Coray : : There is actually a very large range to what : : are known as Indian Darby's. First, they don't : : necessarily come from India, it is a term often : : used for any Asian (or even other third world) : : made Darby. : : The quality can vary quite a bit. I have a couple : : examples of very nicely made ones. Solid with good : : craftsmanship. I think they were very legitimately : : used. Despite the quality I have not had to pay much : : money for them because they are plentiful. After all India : : is a very large country. Thousands of them have been : : surplused in recent years. In particular they are easy : : to find in England's antique markets. : : On the other hand there are also newly made very : : cheap Darby style handcuffs that are also flooding : : the antique market today. They are very crude and : : don't look the least bit old. Dealers are : : paying no more than $10 for them. The dealers : : then price them as high as you can imagine. As : : I mention in an earlier remark, last spring I : : bought a pair from one dealer for $17 (he had : : dozens), but I saw the exact same type : : from another dealer for $250. Of course if you : : can sell one at $250 you make more money than : : selling a dozen at $17. : : The one you show in the photo looks pretty standard. : : It does not look as crude as the $17 model I : : mention above, but it does not look particularly : : old either. With a little hunting you can : : certainly find examples like it well under $50. : : It really comes down to how much you like it. : : Joe

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