Locking Hiatt Grip

I recently purchased the Hiatt grip shown below. Both the cuff and the key are marked with the name Hiatt and a number "2". The grip is built differently than the standard Hiatt grips that close with a simple catch. On this one the two halfs of the grip come together is a very tight complentary "claw" closure. To open it a screw key has to be screwed in depressing the bottom claw. The grip then pops open. Everything is very tight and the grip is actually very difficult to close.

Once closed it is very secure and there is no way you are going to open it by hand. The spring action is simply to strong.

Overall it is a very interesting cuff for the collection, but it is easy to see why they were never popular. It is just to hard to operate. And to use it you would have to carry it in an open position.

Alex Nichols has a picture of a somewhat similar Turner grip. Another collector has sent me a picture of a very similar grip marked "T.LLEWELLYN 1839". Does anyone else have one of these?

Joe

Joe,

Congratulations on your recent find.

Great of you to display it showing the stages of its use.

I recently purchased the Hiatt grip shown below. Both the cuff and the key are marked with the name Hiatt and a number "2". The grip is built differently than the standard Hiatt grips that close with a simple catch. On this one the two halfs of the grip come together is a very tight complentary "claw" closure. To open it a screw key has to be screwed in depressing the bottom claw. The grip then pops open. Everything is very tight and the grip is actually very difficult to close.

Once closed it is very secure and there is no way you are going to open it by hand. The spring action is simply to strong.

Overall it is a very interesting cuff for the collection, but it is easy to see why they were never popular. It is just to hard to operate. And to use it you would have to carry it in an open position.

Alex Nichols has a picture of a somewhat similar Turner grip. Another collector has sent me a picture of a very similar grip marked "T.LLEWELLYN 1839". Does anyone else have one of these?

Joe

Click to expand...

And with original Hiatt marked key ...

I recently purchased the Hiatt grip shown below. Both the cuff and the key are marked with the name Hiatt and a number "2". The grip is built differently than the standard Hiatt grips that close with a simple catch. On this one the two halfs of the grip come together is a very tight complentary "claw" closure. To open it a screw key has to be screwed in depressing the bottom claw. The grip then pops open. Everything is very tight and the grip is actually very difficult to close.

Once closed it is very secure and there is no way you are going to open it by hand. The spring action is simply to strong.

Overall it is a very interesting cuff for the collection, but it is easy to see why they were never popular. It is just to hard to operate. And to use it you would have to carry it in an open position.

Alex Nichols has a picture of a somewhat similar Turner grip. Another collector has sent me a picture of a very similar grip marked "T.LLEWELLYN 1839". Does anyone else have one of these?

Joe

Click to expand...

Hi Joe, about 20 years ago, Joe Tanner sold one to a gentleman who lived next door to me, John Ollier. From memory, the centre hinge area was more like a regular come-along. It also unlocked with a key.

I believe John is now living somewhere in Western Australia.

Ian

I recently purchased the Hiatt grip shown below. Both the cuff and the key are marked with the name Hiatt and a number "2". The grip is built differently than the standard Hiatt grips that close with a simple catch. On this one the two halfs of the grip come together is a very tight complentary "claw" closure. To open it a screw key has to be screwed in depressing the bottom claw. The grip then pops open. Everything is very tight and the grip is actually very difficult to close.

Once closed it is very secure and there is no way you are going to open it by hand. The spring action is simply to strong.

Overall it is a very interesting cuff for the collection, but it is easy to see why they were never popular. It is just to hard to operate. And to use it you would have to carry it in an open position.

Alex Nichols has a picture of a somewhat similar Turner grip. Another collector has sent me a picture of a very similar grip marked "T.LLEWELLYN 1839". Does anyone else have one of these?

Joe

Click to expand...

Ian

The Turner grip in the Alex Nichols book has a round center hinge like a standard grip.
I have a hunch that this one is an older design.

Joe

I recently purchased the Hiatt grip shown below. Both the cuff and the key are marked with the name Hiatt and a number "2". The grip is built differently than the standard Hiatt grips that close with a simple catch. On this one the two halfs of the grip come together is a very tight complentary "claw" closure. To open it a screw key has to be screwed in depressing the bottom claw. The grip then pops open. Everything is very tight and the grip is actually very difficult to close.

Once closed it is very secure and there is no way you are going to open it by hand. The spring action is simply to strong.

Overall it is a very interesting cuff for the collection, but it is easy to see why they were never popular. It is just to hard to operate. And to use it you would have to carry it in an open position.

Alex Nichols has a picture of a somewhat similar Turner grip. Another collector has sent me a picture of a very similar grip marked "T.LLEWELLYN 1839". Does anyone else have one of these?

Joe

Click to expand...

From my memory, it was a Hiatt. It was bought from Joe Tanner so he might remember it, he will remember John.

Ian