Need help identifying a set of cuffs

Purchased a set of derby handcuffs for fun from a flea market. On inspection there are some markings around and I thought it would be interesting to identify the handcuffs origin as there appears to be nothing on google.

The only markings on the cuff are small engravings marked "W.P & Co" with the words "Cape town" underneath. Nothing else identifies the cuff. Could anyone help shed some light on it? Thanks!

I can shed some light on them. Can you just hold the cuffs a little closer to your screen?

Purchased a set of derby handcuffs for fun from a flea market. On inspection there are some markings around and I thought it would be interesting to identify the handcuffs origin as there appears to be nothing on google.

The only markings on the cuff are small engravings marked "W.P & Co" with the words "Cape town" underneath. Nothing else identifies the cuff. Could anyone help shed some light on it? Thanks!

Heh not that kind of help, but thanks for attempting :P

Purchased a set of derby handcuffs for fun from a flea market. On inspection there are some markings around and I thought it would be interesting to identify the handcuffs origin as there appears to be nothing on google.

The only markings on the cuff are small engravings marked "W.P & Co" with the words "Cape town" underneath. Nothing else identifies the cuff. Could anyone help shed some light on it? Thanks!

Some pics

Purchased a set of derby handcuffs for fun from a flea market. On inspection there are some markings around and I thought it would be interesting to identify the handcuffs origin as there appears to be nothing on google.

The only markings on the cuff are small engravings marked "W.P & Co" with the words "Cape town" underneath. Nothing else identifies the cuff. Could anyone help shed some light on it? Thanks!

I have not seen one of these before. It looks a lot like a standard Hiatt. My guess is the W P and Co is a South African vendor and they bought cuffs from Hiatt. The most likely date would be early 20th century.
Joe

Purchased a set of derby handcuffs for fun from a flea market. On inspection there are some markings around and I thought it would be interesting to identify the handcuffs origin as there appears to be nothing on google.

The only markings on the cuff are small engravings marked "W.P & Co" with the words "Cape town" underneath. Nothing else identifies the cuff. Could anyone help shed some light on it? Thanks!

Thanks Joe, I can't find any information on this either. Only thing I have so far is a company called Harvey W.P & Co (Grain dealers) back in 1891. Looks authentic then again you never know, hope someone here has a similiar cuff.

Some pics

Click to expand...

Here is a pair that sold last year in Canada.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/198122700/ ... -handcuffs

I've just bought a pair that look older and I'm waiting on delivery



Still no idea who W.P & Co. Capetown were.
Paul

I just purchased one of these Darby’s but mine doesn’t have a visible W. It only shows the P&Co Cape Town. Any new info on these? Ron J

No new info, but stamping a curved surface is difficult and imprecise as shown here on two different sides of a cuff. I'd suggest the W did not impress. Is the W missing on both sides of yours? It might indicate that it became a family business and W no longer owned the business or died. But it's only a guess - something like Field, Field and Son, Field and Sons.

PaulJDavies wrote: ↑

Oct 04, 2022

No new info, but stamping a curved surface is difficult and imprecise as shown here on two different sides of a cuff. I'd suggest the W did not impress. Is the W missing on both sides of yours? It might indicate that it became a family business and W no longer owned the business or died. But it's only a guess - something like Field, Field and Son, Field and Sons.

Paul I believe you’re correct. The stamping on mine isn’t perfect because of stamping a round surface. Mine actually read.    P&Co  ape town. Ron J

I have a nipper from a W.R. Pape and Co. I wonder if W.P & Co. was a shortened version of that companies name? Im looking for my nipper now, to see if it also says Capetown on it. If anyone knows where i put it in my collection, kindly send me a message with details. LOL! I need to organize a bit better. I will put my findings on here...when I find the nippers.
-Richard Knip-

William Rochester Pape was an English gunsmith and inventor. I don't know if he had an office in Cape Town, South Africa, but I suspect those SA cuffs were made in England. His nippers would have been made by Hiatt or a similar manufacturer. 
PS. Some gunsmith info.
On top rib 'W. R. Pape Newcastle Upon Tyne, Winner of the London Gun Trials 1858,1859, 1866 & 1875'. On barrels 'Made Especially for W. Rawbone Cape Town'. Action with engraved borders and marked 'W. R. Pape' on both sides; cross bolt and extractor only, auto safety.