Joe Lauher
#1The origins of Hiatt and Company Ltd. lie in the late eighteenth century, 1780, as stated in vintage and contemporary company advertisements. According to both the Hiatt and the American Hiatt-Thompson web pages, the company was begun by a "Mr. Hiat" with one T. Supposedly he set up shop in 1780 at 26 Masshouse Lane in Birmingham.
"In the year 1780 when Birmingham, England was little more than a village, any passer-by walking down the well known thoroughfare called Masshouse Lane, might have stopped out of curiosity to look at a new sign which had recently gone up at Number 26.
This intimated that a certain Mr. Hiat was a maker of Prisoners' Handcuffs, Felons' Leg Irons and Gang Chains to the Trade."
This quote as taken from the Hiatt-Thompson web page. The quote originally comes from a newspaper article that appeared in the "Black County Survey" published in 1958. It was part of a series of articles devoted to the "Histories of Famous Firms." Although the article is fascinating to read, it gives no documentation for the company's earliest history. The article does make reference to entry for "Hiat" (with one T) in an 1832 trade directory.
Unfortunately this entire story seems to be mostly myth. Collectors have searched for and speculated about early Hiatt restraints. Shouldn't the earliest examples be marked "Hiat" with one T? As far as I know, no such cuffs have ever been found.
It seemed that some original research was needed. I had two types of evidence to examine, written records in the form of old trade directories and advertisements, and actual examples of old handcuffs. A close examination of their markings revealed important clues.
The results of this research led me to write a book on the subject entitled, "British Handcuffs, A Collector's Guide to Vintage Handcuffs." The "possible history" that is presented here is based upon information that appears in this new book. The book also includes pictures of about a hundred vintage British handcuffs taken from my collection.
To read my Hiatt article go to:
http://www.handcuffs.org/hiatt/
The following graphic gives a possible timeline:
1. Thomas Griffin and Co. founded in late 18th century on Digbeth Street.
2.About 1815, Thomas Griffin takes on James Nichols as a partner, forming Griffin & Nichols
3.In the late 1820s, James Nichols assumes ownership of the company forming James Nichols & Co.
4. Early 1860s, T & A Longmore acquires the James Nichols company, but the Digbeth Street business closes after only a few years.
5. About 1818, Thomas Griffin Hiatt establishes new operation, first on Moor Street, but soon moves to Masshouse Lane.
6. In 1840s William John Hiatt assumes ownership of Hiatt & Co. Ltd.
7. Field & Parker founded in London in the 18th century. Becomes Hiatt's London agency, selling Hiatt cuffs under the Parker name.
8. In 1842 the company name changes to Parker, Field & Sons.
9. In 1877 company name changes to Field & Sons and goes out of business in 1883.
10. In 1830s William Froggatt Co. forms on Bordesley Street.
In the late 19th century Thomas Froggatt forms Thomas Froggatt and Co.
11. In 1937 Hiatt & Co. buys out Thomas Froggatt.
My new book "British Handcuffs - A Collectors Guide to Vintage Handcuffs"is at the printer. It should be ready by later this month or early July. The book is 8.5 x 11 inches, 112 pages long with 48 pages in color. It has pictures of about 100 of the British Handcuffs from my collection.
Joe
"In the year 1780 when Birmingham, England was little more than a village, any passer-by walking down the well known thoroughfare called Masshouse Lane, might have stopped out of curiosity to look at a new sign which had recently gone up at Number 26.
This intimated that a certain Mr. Hiat was a maker of Prisoners' Handcuffs, Felons' Leg Irons and Gang Chains to the Trade."
This quote as taken from the Hiatt-Thompson web page. The quote originally comes from a newspaper article that appeared in the "Black County Survey" published in 1958. It was part of a series of articles devoted to the "Histories of Famous Firms." Although the article is fascinating to read, it gives no documentation for the company's earliest history. The article does make reference to entry for "Hiat" (with one T) in an 1832 trade directory.
Unfortunately this entire story seems to be mostly myth. Collectors have searched for and speculated about early Hiatt restraints. Shouldn't the earliest examples be marked "Hiat" with one T? As far as I know, no such cuffs have ever been found.
It seemed that some original research was needed. I had two types of evidence to examine, written records in the form of old trade directories and advertisements, and actual examples of old handcuffs. A close examination of their markings revealed important clues.
The results of this research led me to write a book on the subject entitled, "British Handcuffs, A Collector's Guide to Vintage Handcuffs." The "possible history" that is presented here is based upon information that appears in this new book. The book also includes pictures of about a hundred vintage British handcuffs taken from my collection.
To read my Hiatt article go to:
http://www.handcuffs.org/hiatt/
The following graphic gives a possible timeline:
1. Thomas Griffin and Co. founded in late 18th century on Digbeth Street.
2.About 1815, Thomas Griffin takes on James Nichols as a partner, forming Griffin & Nichols
3.In the late 1820s, James Nichols assumes ownership of the company forming James Nichols & Co.
4. Early 1860s, T & A Longmore acquires the James Nichols company, but the Digbeth Street business closes after only a few years.
5. About 1818, Thomas Griffin Hiatt establishes new operation, first on Moor Street, but soon moves to Masshouse Lane.
6. In 1840s William John Hiatt assumes ownership of Hiatt & Co. Ltd.
7. Field & Parker founded in London in the 18th century. Becomes Hiatt's London agency, selling Hiatt cuffs under the Parker name.
8. In 1842 the company name changes to Parker, Field & Sons.
9. In 1877 company name changes to Field & Sons and goes out of business in 1883.
10. In 1830s William Froggatt Co. forms on Bordesley Street.
In the late 19th century Thomas Froggatt forms Thomas Froggatt and Co.
11. In 1937 Hiatt & Co. buys out Thomas Froggatt.
My new book "British Handcuffs - A Collectors Guide to Vintage Handcuffs"is at the printer. It should be ready by later this month or early July. The book is 8.5 x 11 inches, 112 pages long with 48 pages in color. It has pictures of about 100 of the British Handcuffs from my collection.
Joe