"Pewter" Hiatts

Hi All,

Just won this pair of "peweter" Hiatts on Ebay. Of course I doubt they are peweter. I've never seen a pair like them. Does anyone have any info on these?

Thanks,
Joe

Hi,

I'm pretty sure these are the normal modern, cast-iron darbies made by hiatt-thompson. In the "plain" version and a quite bad condition (many underwater escapes? )

Martin

Hi All,

Just won this pair of "peweter" Hiatts on Ebay. Of course I doubt they are peweter. I've never seen a pair like them. Does anyone have any info on these?

Thanks,
Joe

They look like the modern "Heritage" Hiatts, or whatever they call them. I don't have a hiatts catalog handy.

They are definitely non ferrous castings, pot metal, essentially. I'm told they are made to the same dimensions as the "real" Hiatts.

Yours aren't in good condition, with the rust and all, but I don't think you'd lose anything by cleaning them up and soaking the hinges in penetrating oil.

Hi All,

Just won this pair of "peweter" Hiatts on Ebay. Of course I doubt they are peweter. I've never seen a pair like them. Does anyone have any info on these?

Thanks,
Joe

Pot metal is unfortunately correct. Even when new, the bolts are easily stripped, which can lead to interesting consequences when trying to remove them. I’m amazed at how many sellers try to pass these off as antiques.

Jason

Hi All,

Just won this pair of "peweter" Hiatts on Ebay. Of course I doubt they are peweter. I've never seen a pair like them. Does anyone have any info on these?

Thanks,
Joe

I completely agree, they are indeed pot metal(ZnAl alloy) and as far as I know still being made but would have to check with DHW for current information. These were made in unplated and nickel plated versions as well as the bolt and key being pot metal. From what I have heard over time is that it got to expensive to make them out of steel and looked for alternatives. In my opinion, Hiatts took a step back when they came out with these. If they do fail, the adjustable ones can be shimed open. The non adjustables if there is enough of a gap to work something in to push the bolt back, another way is using flexible wire, small gauge with a loop tied in the end with the hope of catching enough of the theads to pull back. The last method I know that works is to drill a small hole in the end in the center of the end cap and insert round metal or something to pust the bolt back to release the bow. And lastly for what it is worth, I have found that PB Blaster makes a nice rust buster to loosen up rust and hinges.

-Dorson

Hi All,

Just won this pair of "peweter" Hiatts on Ebay. Of course I doubt they are peweter. I've never seen a pair like them. Does anyone have any info on these?

Thanks,
Joe

Asd far as I know they're still in production. My suppliers carry them, and I have a few in stock. They're novelty items, AFAIC. Good for BDSM play byt unsafe for duty. As if anyone would use them for duty these days, anyway.

Hi All,

Just won this pair of "peweter" Hiatts on Ebay. Of course I doubt they are peweter. I've never seen a pair like them. Does anyone have any info on these?

Thanks,
Joe

hi DENNIS,i have a set of these (i think) but mine has hiatt stamped on bow back like normal not casted in like his,also british made stamped on one bow only very small 2&1/4 at largest adjustment 1&7/8 on the 5th notch all of the guts are brass are these like the one'syou have in stock?swevial and links appair to be furrious metal

Hi All,

Just won this pair of "peweter" Hiatts on Ebay. Of course I doubt they are peweter. I've never seen a pair like them. Does anyone have any info on these?

Thanks,
Joe

Mine are the same as the ones in the OP. I can get them, both in mill finish, like the ones shown, and nickel plated. The nickel look about a thousand times better. The mill finish look cheap right out of the box.

Hi All,

Just won this pair of "peweter" Hiatts on Ebay. Of course I doubt they are peweter. I've never seen a pair like them. Does anyone have any info on these?

Thanks,
Joe

Besides nickel-plated brass adjustable darbies, both Kub and Victor Works offer non-adjustable darbies in the superior Sheffield style. The Kub made cuffs can be had for a song – just check DHW or e-bay for offerings.

Jason