Jim Stewart's Houdini Challenge Straitjacket

          Houdini Challenge Straitjacket
           
          Jim Stewart's Houdini Challenge Straitjacket (size large)

          In 2006 Jim Stewart was moving and had a eBay liquidation of his own stuff including several truly great straitjackets from his collection. I was lucky enough to purchase his original Houdini Challenge Straitjacket prototype. This very formidable jacket is truly unique and a lot of fun to play with. It has loads of unique features which are well described on Stewart's own web page devoted this jacket.  The text is quoted below:
           
           
          The following text comes directly from Jim Stewarts own web page on his Houdini Challenge Straitjacket.
           
          "From the earliest days of my interest in HOUDINI, designing a totally escape-proof jacket was always an ambition. While learning (and practicing) all the tricks of the Escape Artist's trade, my mind always lept at the idea of preventing escape rather than using tricks to effect an escape.

          This formidable jacket is the result of years of discussing and experimenting. It was made for a TV programme as the ultimate 'Escape-proof' strait-jacket challenge - and nobody has yet escaped from it - but not for want of trying.

          As one of the earliest examples of my work, it is quite crudely hand-made but is as robust as ever. Double canvas sail-cloth and tough rough-dressed leather not only give it durability, but make it look (and feel) like the heavy-duty restraint it is.
           


          DETAILS OF SEVERAL SPECIALLY DESIGNED
          SECURITY FEATURES

          1. Deep leather yoke prevents teeth getting to front arm-strap strap - so no gnawing the canvas.
          2. Front strap is cinched with a snap-hook rather than buckle, so is also finger and teeth-proof.
          3. Extra strap circles chest alone. This closes armholes of jacket snug and also restricts chest expansion - which can be very inhibiting during a long escape attempt.
          4. Built-in pinion straps prevent crossed arms from being moved up or downwards.
          5. Leather side loops prevent sliding arms.
          6. Buckle for single through-crotch strap is positioned unusually high on the back, which makes reaching it almost impossible.

          As long as the wearer is not able to walk around or get any leverage, this remains a formidable challenge ..... HOWEVER

          OPEN-ENDED SLEEVES

          This unusual feature was added more recently as an experiment.
          It           allows a wearer to strap himself into the jacket - a process sometimes more
          physically demanding than trying to escape.

          Double 'D' rings at each sleeve-end require a separate strap to close and link them together - a process which suggests a chance of escape - but because sleeves are extra long - once closed and tightened, this strap can not (usually) be re-opened without outside assistance.

          Many people have tried to prove that the sleeves being open-ended reduces the efficiency of the jacket - but so far the jacket remains espcape-proof.

          Since it was first made nearly thirty years ago this jacket has sucessfully provide the ultimate challenge - but there's always somebody eager to 'have a go".    ...Jim Stewart

           

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