Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (later use US black) a hand; usu. in pl.

1846		Swell’s Night Guide 77: She’s only gammoning [...] oney pinch her pickers in your grinders, or plant her prat in the pawney beet; and stag how soon she’ll cut her bilk.
1867		Kendal Mercury 9 Mar. 4/2: ‘How would you have done?’ [...] ‘Used my pickers,’ was the enlightened answer.
1859, 1860		Hotten Dict. of Modern Sl. etc.
1873		Sl. Dict.
1944		‘Jiver’s Bible’ in D. Burley Orig. Hbk of Harlem Jive.

2. see roper n.² (2)