Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Argus Iron Claw Restraint, c. 1951-1960 |
Object Name |
Restraint |
Description |
Argus Iron Claw Restraint, c. 1951-1960. Single-wrist handcuff has steel (?) claws; upper portion has a nickel finish, most of which has been rubbed off from use. |
Date |
c. 1951-1960 |
Creator |
Argus Manufacturing Company |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Catalog Number |
2012.006.026 |
Dimensions |
H-5.5 W-3.875 D-0.875 inches |
Collection |
3D - Regulative & Protective Tools & Equipment |
Inscription Text |
"ARGUS MFG.CO. / CHICAGO, ILL. U.S.A. / PAT. 1950757 / PAT. 2066654 (at base of claw); "THE IRON CLAW / 60942" (base of claw) |
Provenance |
This item belonged to donor's grandfather John Pawson, who was a San Mateo Police Officer from 1951-1973. |
Notes |
[http://www.ushandcuffs.com/AugusIronClaw.html]: "The "Iron Claw" (IC) was popular because of it's reliability and ease of application. Even when the finish was weathered and warn the IC would work as advertised. The application was fairly easy as well. In one move the IC could be pulled from it's belt holster, opened, placed on the bad guy's wrist, and with a quick turn of the T-handle, secured. A couple of turns of the threaded locking sleeve and the prisoner was ready to transport. "The "Iron Claw" was manufactured by Argus Manufacturing in Chicago, IL. ( I found an address of 1134-44 N. Kilburn Ave. but have not confirmed that it is the same company) Shortly after the IC hit the streets, it became apparent there was a minor problem in it's initial design. The locking teeth that allow the jaws to ratchet open were exposed and very sharp. When officers began to complain that they were being nicked and cut by the teeth, the inventor, Yngve Smith-Stange, designed and patented a sleeve to cover the teeth in 1935 which fixed the problem . "Tens of thousands of IC's were produced by Argus under the two patent numbers. It is not know when Argus (Chicago) stopped producing the IC but in about 1960 the IC manufacturer changed . The new manufacture was Argus-Jay Pee. The new name stamped on the side was now Argus-Jay Pee, New York and the reverse side was stamped Made in Taiwan. Although the new version was still the same design and patent numbers there is a slight difference in the jaws and the triangular housing above the jaws. The finish on the Taiwan IC is also much brighter, probably chrome rather than the earlier nickel compound. It has been suggested that fewer than ten thousand of the Taiwan IC's were produced which would make them fairly uncommon." |
Search Terms |
Pawson, John T. Police San Mateo Police Department |
Subjects |
Handcuffs Police |
People |
Pawson, John T. |
Credit line |
Courtesy of John Pawson |