sj-index

Cuffs described
The first section are all conventional swing-through bow design handcuffs as used by various police forces around the world - until the solid centre version became the cuff of choice for street use.
All are chain-linked and have double lock device to avoid unintentional tightening.

ALCYON model ??
More solid and weighty than many Spanish cuffs, nicely rounded edges. Centrally positioned key holes mirror one another - so each pair is two cuff modules made in reverse image.
On this model, cuffs are connected by a two link chain and swivels. Nickel plated. Deadlocks.
Two unusual original keys

ALCYON model ?? (no photo)
Similar to above, but lock housing has key hole higher on the body of the cuff.
Again, key holes mirror one another - so two different cuff blanks were used on each pair.
Cuffs connected closer than usual by a single chain link. This pair have very stiff ratchet, not very smooth but makes for a good ratchet sound when closing them.
NO DEAD-LOCKS. One key only

BIANCHI HANDCUFFS
Bought in the Seventies in a USA police supplies store, this is a particularly well-finished model.
Stainless steel, they are clearly marked with the manufacturer's name.
Original box shows signs of age, but cuffs are virtually unused and have two original keys.

CIVIL DEFENCE COMPANY CUFFS
British company based in Lincoln produced limited number of these standard cuffs from the Seventies in competition with Hiatt, Peerless and Smith & Wesson. Virtually identical to Hiatt Peerless but with a distinctive central swivel-linking format. Were in general police use until replaced by the solid centred design. Two standard keys.

HIATT 1960
This pattern with a simple barrel key was popular for a while but if you know the trick they can be opened with a ball-point pen. Easily recognisable casing shape, with decent centre swivel.
One original key only.

HIATT MEDIUM WEIGHT (MODEL ??? - 128g)
Perhaps manufactured when this long established company was going through a bad patch in the early Seventies. Suggested as a lighter than 1970s pattern for street use. Nickel plated, very similar to 1970s pattern. Offered with two standard keys.
SECOND PAIR OF THE ABOVE offered with one standard key and one Hiatt 'short' key.

HIATT ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT CUFFS (106g)
Introduced as an even lighter-weight cuff than the above with an alloy finish. I was told my the then Managing Director that they were designed for women police - who totally rejected them.
The metal alloy makes for a toy-like quality. Although generally efficient, their light weight encouraged wearers to test them for strength. Easy action and the dead-locks work well.
Because so few pairs were produced these are something of a rarity - so are priced accordingly.
Two unusual original keys supplied.

HIATT PEERLESS (raised rivets)
This British company producing a cuff marked Peerless is explained in Alex Nichol's book (volume 1). Two pairs (slightly different) were acquired by me in the Seventies and were, I think, old stock then. One pair has raised rivets and a second pair (below) have flush rivets and smaller swivel. Only a collector would care about that!
Unusual fixed attaching points on the body of each cuff. These house substantial rings linked by a very chunky swivel. Mirror image keyholes. NO DEADLOCKS One key only - but many others fit this model.

HIATT PEERLESS (flush rivets)
Same housing as the above 'raised rivet' version. Keyholes mirror image. Swivel is smaller than the other version. Seriously bad period for Hiatt manufacture; sharp edges and cranky ratchet action - but as collector's items - these two pieces tell their own story. NO DEADLOCKS. One key only - but many other keys fit this model.

PEERLESS USA cuffs (model 300 dark metal) no photo
Trading in Springfield Massachusetts since 1914. Standard USA police issue cuffs with well-rounded edges. This pair made in darkened metal (not a coating?) for Night Duty.
Connected by two chain links and swivels. One key only (standard USA design)

PEERLESS USA Hinged cuffs (model 170NH) - two pairs.
Hinged version from one of America's two leading manufacturers. Nickel plated with excellent action. With well-worn original box and instruction leaflet. Two keys.

POUTA (Bren) std cuffs
Only unusual because these cuffs were manufactured by the famous German gun makers. Neatly finished and a good smooth action.

JAPANESE CUFFS in Red Box
Waiting for somebody to identify these. Probably Takeda judging by the absence of ratchet, which is replaced by a series of holes into which a sprung pin drops as the bow swings through. Also, the unusual external lever produces double-lock effect - a system which never caught on for obvious reasons because the lever can release the double-lock while the cuffs are being worn. Three unwelded chain links connect the cuffs.
An interesting conversation piece. Original box shows signs of wear. Two original keys.

SAF-LOK HIGH SECURITY (Australia) model Mk4
This cuff is very rarely offered for sale. The manufacturer is, in fact, the Australian Government and they are very picky about who they sell to.
The unique double rotating locking mechanism is of interest to any lock enthusiast - and these cuffs make a very special conversation piece for the serious cuff collector.
Supplied with manufacturer's instruction leaflet. 1 key only

SMITH & WESSON (262g) model 100?
Obviously well-used and run-in, I acquired two pairs while visiting Alabama in the late Seventies, hanging out with Law Enforcement officers there. Stainless steel with a robust action.(two pairs) Two keys each pair.

SMITH & WESSON black (234g) model 100B?
Same specifications as above but with a dull black finish (coated), designed for Night Duty so metal does not catch the light. Two keys.

TAIWAN unbranded (no photo)
Standard pattern swing-through bow cuffs, plated. Key hole positions are reversed, so only one cuff blank manufactured.

TAIWAN unbranded - cuffs separated
A pair of standard pattern swing-through bow cuffs separated so they could be adapted to various non-standard purposes such as attaching on either side of a chain-frame or a bed-frame.
Better than usual quality and easy action. One standard key only. Ideal for an imaginative user.

UNIVERSAL KEYS - find photo
Open most American swing-through bow models and foriegn copies. Do NOT fit Hiatt Peerless

VARIOUS CUFF DESIGNS (and LEG-IRONS)

HAITT THOMPSON (USA) Leg Irons (33cm chain)
Describe

PEERLESS USA Leg-irons (model 303 ?? 38cm chain)
Describe

HIATT DARBYS (104 old - large)
Although there are a lot of this model in circulation, very few are the old ferrous steel version.
This is a particularly nice pair probably made before 1942. Excellent patina and easy action. One original key.

DEUTSCHE POLIZEI
Classic German police cuffs. One of the original solid centred hinged variety. Smooth action. This pair has seen years of us e and has the scars to prove it. You can’t fake a finish like these moody cuffs. One key only.

MARLIN DALEY Bottleneck cuffs
These cuffs are for the very seriously collector only - but, having appeared twice already on E-bay and not sold - they're now back in my display cabinet.
Exact date for these very unusual-looking cuffs is not known - best guess is around 1910 - but they could be older. Model 2 has been mentioned. They've certainly generated some speculation over the years.
Their well-scarred finish could be original electro-plate or even galvanised. Seriously moody if you like that sort of battered look.
Swivel linking and locks are in OK working ordered. Two original keys.

See under MISCELLANEOUS
for other police and lock related items