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Great question! To answer it, we consulted Joseph Lauher's splendid Handcuffs.Org, an invaluable resource for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts alike. After a few minutes, we came up with a key turning point (excuse the pun) in handcuff history -- adjustable ratchets. Handcuffs and manacles have been around for centuries, but prior to 1862 they were considered "one size fits all." Early handcuffs were simple metal rings that locked in place, causing much consternation for thick-wristed bruisers, and significant ease (and potential freedom) for thin-wristed weasels. All this changed on June 17, 1862, when an inventor named W. V. Adams patented a handcuff design that incorporated
adjustable ratchets. If you've ever played around with kid's handcuffs, messed around with real ones, or been arrested, you'll know that the ratchet mechanism lets the cuffs grip your wrists firmly and tightly. This design was later picked up by entrepreneur John Tower, who started one of the most successful American handcuff companies in 1865. Tower handcuffs were manufactured up until the Second World War, and they were all based on the original Adams patent.
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