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Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
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?
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
Wow, 83 views, and not one person knows more about the RM That can't be, can it?
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
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.
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Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts |
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
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
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Mick Hanzlik Special user Mick Hanzlik 588 Posts |
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 |
Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
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
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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Mick Hanzlik Special user Mick Hanzlik 588 Posts |
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 |
Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
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.
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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dylan1961 New user 65 Posts |
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 |
Mick Hanzlik Special user Mick Hanzlik 588 Posts |
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 |
Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
@John
Do you have a photo of this russian padlock?
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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dylan1961 New user 65 Posts |
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 |
Mick Hanzlik Special user Mick Hanzlik 588 Posts |
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 |
Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Hey Mick if the guy`s surname starts with a "B" and ends with a "D" then your on the right route!!!
Ken |
Mick Hanzlik Special user Mick Hanzlik 588 Posts |
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 |
Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
@John
Look very forward to seeing the photo if you can find it!
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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Tod Todson Inner circle USA 1296 Posts |
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!
Mystifier, Youth Speaker
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Leo H Inner circle 1339 Posts |
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. |
Ian McColl Inner circle 1493 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 28, 2024, Leo H wrote: 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.
handcuff keys https://www.facebook.com/groups/274871910110997/
old business https://www.facebook.com/Stockade-locksmiths-276492435716704/ |
Leo H Inner circle 1339 Posts |
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 |