Books on Handcuffs?

Adrian Weber

Hello everyone,

As I am doing a lot a videos lately on handcuffs I wanted to ask you if you know any books on handcuffs?

I have one from Houdini but Brian already told me there are a lot more. I also know that Alex Nichols wrote two books and that there are some books on tactical handcuffing.

Do you know any books on handcuffs? Maybe antique ones?
Do you know where I can buy them or have any to trade?

I would also be interested in old or antique handcuffs from Peerless for example.

Thanks 🙂

Scott Klemm

A Guide to Handcuffs and Other Restraints of the World by Alex R. Nichols. It was printed in the U.K. in 2002. Its ISBN number is 0 9531338 1 8.

Scott Klemm

This one might be difficult to find. It was printed in the U.S.A. by Dick Wresch in 1961. Its entitled: The Great Houdini: Handcuffs and Legirons.

Scott Klemm

My book, Ancient Locks: The Evolutionary Development of the Lock and Key (2008) has a chapter entitled “Ancient Fetters and Manacles.” Of course there won’t be anything about Peerless in this chapter.

Brian Morland MLA Hon

And here are a couple more:-

Modern Handcuff Secrets by Dick Norman, 1957.

Handcuff note book, 45 pages, my version dosent seem to have any author/publisher details. Anybody know who should be credited and if I can scan it to upload to this site?

Ian D. Lewis

You have to be careful when you google books about handcuffs 🙁blush): but I did find this link. http://www.handcuffs.org/bibliography/ and this one http://www.thehandcuffshop.com/home.cfm

Scott Klemm

Brian Morland wrote
And here are a couple more:-

Modern Handcuff Secrets by Dick Norman, 1957.

Handcuff note book, 45 pages, my version dosent seem to have any author/publisher details. Anybody know who should be credited and if I can scan it to upload to this site?

I too have a copy of Handcuff Notes. The book has a construction paper cover and the inside looks like a cut-and-paste job. (But, the information inside is great!) If my memory is correct, it was a series of articles that originally appeared in the Locksmith Ledger. Since most locksmiths are probably not familiar with the different types of handcuffs, they would most likely apply a hacksaw to a perfectly good and expensive pair of cuffs. This was the reason for this series that probably appeared in the magazine during 1950s. Not sure, but I think Dick Norman may have been the author.

[unknown]

Scott Klemm

I’ve done a little additional research on the Handcuff Note book. It was indeed written by Dick Norman in a series of articles that appeared in the February, July, August, September, October, November, December 1957 and January 1958 issues of the Locksmith Ledger.

Adrian Weber

Thanks for ALL the answers 🙂
I have made a list now:

A Guide to Handcuffs and Other Restraints of the World by Alex R. Nichols, 2002
The Great Houdini: Handcuffs and Legirons by Dick Wresch, 1961
Modern Handcuff Secrets by Dick Norman, 1957
Handcuff Note Book the Locksmith Ledger Dick Norman, 1957-1958

I would be most interested in these books but my google search did come up empty 🙁
Any idea where to get them?

Ian D. Lewis

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guidebook-Handcuffs-Other-Restraints-World/dp/0953133818/ref=sr_1_59?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374426064&sr=1-59&keywords=handcuffs this one is on amazon. And this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/280-6115314-1328768?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Hancuffs+#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=modern+handcuff+secrets&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3Amodern+handcuff+secrets

Adrian Weber

Hey Ian,

Thanks for the links!
I should have mentioned that I know Mr. Nichols, last time I wanted to speak with him on the telephone he did not feel well though 🙁
I am not sure on the handcuffs secet book, it seems quite expensive or is that price normal for it?

Adrian