Tower Double Lock – Very Good Condition

Tower Double Lock Handcuffs – Patent July 17, 1866
A remarkable piece of 19th-century restraint technology, these Tower Double Lock handcuffs are as functional as they are historic. Stamped with the July 17, 1866 patent date, they represent one of the early innovations in prisoner security, designed to prevent tampering and accidental release. The double-lock mechanism was a clever advancement for its time, ensuring that once fastened, the cuffs could not be tightened further to injure the wearer—nor easily picked by clever hands.

This pair is in very good condition, showing only the expected patina of age while retaining full working order. The iron is solid and uncompromised, with a smooth action to both the lock and hinge. Pieces like these are prized by collectors not only for their mechanical ingenuity but also for their place in law enforcement history, bridging the gap between crude shackles and the more refined restraints that followed.

Whether displayed as part of a collection or admired for its engineering, this set of Tower Double Lock handcuffs is a tangible link to the late 1800s—a time when the American frontier was still wild, and reliable restraints were a matter of necessity.