Posted by Mark Lyons on May 18, 2002 at 15:11:15:
Hi I just received a nice minty pair of Model 2 (3 twisted link chain) Marlin handcuffs and noticed that it did not have the patent date on the lock case like my Model 1 or my other Model 2's. My model 3 (swivel)does not have the dates as well. I am guessing that the factory stopped putting the dates in in the later years of the the model 2 run. Would any of you know what years this change might have taken place? I would like to date these as accuratly as possible.
I also have noted that there are 3 types of keys for these cuffs. The first one is marked "Taylor" and I know that to be an aftermarket key sold by locksmiths. The keys usually have to be filed down quite a bit to enter the lock and work properly. The second type key has no markings at all and has a thick bow (handle part of the key). The third type of key is stamped "bi-metallic" on one side of the bow and the numbers "0656" usually on the other side of the bow. I have seen both stampings on the same side on a few examples. The bow is about 1/2 as thick as the type 2 key. I would like to know if this is an original key that was supplied with the cuffs or is another aftermarket key, like the Taylor. The key with no name seems to be manufactured to better specs than the other two. The bi-metallic key has some fine pits and does not look as nicely finished as the other. It does work very well, however. The Taylor version is by far the most crude and needs some filing to get it to work.
Any help on my two questions would be very much appreciated. Thank you. Mark