Ian sent me what little info he had on the above.

That it might have been custom made by Houdini himself.

That it may never have come from Russia at all.

Does anyone else have any knowedge/pictures on this beast?

Wow, 83 views, and not one person knows more about the RM That can't be, can it?

Did you try googling it or contact Ian. about it the Russian Manacle is well Publicized for Houdini it might of even been a Custom Job, does anyone know if the Real One Exists and was it ever Mass Produced.

You might like to get in touch with Mick Hanzlik. He lectures on Houdini and if anyone's going to know more than the average fella I'm sure he will.

Ian's also a good bet since he made the replica that the Cannons sell on their site.

Apart from that I can't help you. Accept that you will be hard pushed to get much of a response from any of the working pros from now on since the outdoor season started this weekend with Easter, at least here in the UK it has.

Most drop by as and when they can, so you may have to wait just a little while. Till then I really suggest dropping a line to Mick and Ian, they're both on here.

Good luck,

Ros

I'll have a look through my Houdini library. There should be something there, as I have over 200 Houdini titles!

It may take a few days though, so if I find anything, I'll post it here.

It's the UKEA meeting next weekend, so I'll ask there if any of the guys have any info.

Regards

Mick Hanzlik

Please see first line at the top, everyone

I have spoken to Ian already.

Wondering if others had any info also.

P.S. Thanks, Mick. That's a lot of titles

I have had a look through the handcuff section of my Houdini library, and although a few books mention the Russian Manacles, the information is all the same and seems to originate with just a couple of lines from "Handcuff Secrets"

There is a picture of the cuffs with the caption "The Latest Russian Manacle, 1902, one of the most complicated locks ever used in a handcuff"

There is also a copy of an advertising sheet from "The Houdini Scrapbook" showing the time that Houdini offered a complete handcuff act for sale. In the advertisment there are quite a few line drawings of handcuffs, including the Russian Manacle, but no actual mention of them in print.

You should find something if you go to http://www.handcuffs.org, as there is s feature on the famous "Europe's Eclipsing Sensation" poster, which mentions every cuff in the poster, with a great picture of the manacles.

Whether they were a one-off or not, I do not know. I haven't seen any before or since. Ian knows a couple of my thoeries about who made some of the strange handcuffs Houdini used, and one of those theories will be revealed in The Handcuff Annual, coming out very soon. There is a chance that whoever made the Russian Manacles, could have made some of the others too, including the Seance Cuffs, which seem also to be a one-off.

So did Harry have a personal handcuff maker, making cuffs to Houdini's design? I am sure he did, and I mention his name in the Annual. I just need some proof!

Hope this info is of use. I just think they were one-of-a-kind handcuffs

Regards

Mick

Or perhaps from his own workshop? Didn't HH have his own shop to repair stage items? Would seem he might have the metal presses, drills, and other items necessary to craft locks as well. Just a thought.

HI
I can add two bits of information. The original Russian Manacle is in the SAM
museum in California. It's currently not open I understand. Also, they don't
allow photos while there.

SEcond, I owned a padlock, which came from Russian, that was almost the exact same
size and shape as the Russian Manacle. Perhaps Houdini simple had it altered
by making two bows instead of the shackle. This is what I believe he did for his
French letter-cuff. Two padlocks were altered to make a handcuff. The padlock I
speak of is currently in an escape artists collection in Canada.

John Bushey

I have thought that too, but when you read my article in the Annual, you'll see that he probably wouldn't have needed his own workshop.

MH

@John

Do you have a photo of this russian padlock?

Somewhere I do. I sold it to the current owner. Mick, I agree Houdini didn't need
his own workshop. But I believe he did have many items custom manufactured or altered from existing pieces by someone else. I believe your article will shed light
on at least one of these. In the first annual I documented the French letter cuff.
I found an IDENTICAL padlock or French origin to the lettercuff owned by Jon Oliver.
Houdini must have had two of these, and had new shackles built and then put a chain
between the locks for a set of cuffs.
I'll look for Russian photo, and post if I can locate it. It's pictured with the whole collection of Russian padlocks I had purchased years ago. Best Wishes, John

JOhn...Once my article is public, I am hoping that other interested people out there will carry on and help me with the research. My ultimate aim is to prove that Houdini had one guy building ALL his "unusual" handcuffs. I think I am getting close.

MH

Hey Mick if the guy`s surname starts with a "B" and ends with a "D" then your on the right route!!!

Ken

Sorry to dissapoint you Ken but my guy's name is nowhere near your idea. I'll tell you when I see you at the UKEA meeting on Saturday.

MICK

@John

Look very forward to seeing the photo if you can find it!

Here is said to be a photo of Houdini in the RM's:

http://www.wetcircuit.com/index.php?s=houdini

Does anyone have a larger photo, or the source of it?

Thanks in advance!

Houdini in the Russian Manacle:

https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2012/09......ini.html

Around this time 1902-03, Houdini was working hard touring Britain, France, Germany, and Russia. He wouldn't have his own workshop until he returned and settled back in the U.S. in 1905.

I don't think Houdini would have made anything, Jim Collins would have. The Russian manacle could have easily be made in any of the hundreds of lock maker worshops in the UK. No need for Houdini to get to the USA to do anything, and I have never heard of any workshop that you suggest he might have had.

Agreed that Collins built his props for the majority of his career, but Houdini had a workshop by the mid 1920s around 1925-26. It was located near Hoboken, New Jersey. He had purchased a small building there around 1916 as the headquarters for his film development company--the FDC. He stocked the first floor of the building with film development machinery. When the company went bankrupt around 1923, he sold off the machinery, but kept the building as his workshop for magic and escape props. Not necessarily for manufacturing, more for refining his stage materials.

https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2019/03......html?m=1

https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2016/09......hop.html