PeerlessŪ Handcuff Company was established in 1914 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Over eighty years later, the classic swing through design of the original PeerlessŪ handcuff, continues to be the industry standard.

The company founder, James Milton Gill, was a businessman and Police Commissioner for the City of Springfield. He was approached by an inventor named George Carney. Carney's swing through handcuff invention would revolutionize the industry. His innovative design was relatively light weight and easy to carry. Unlike other restraint devices of the time, the Carney design could be quickly applied with one hand. The combination of the light weight and ease of use greatly increased officer safety.