Antique Hiatt Darby Handcuffs?

Hi everyone,

I have had these for quite some time and want to confirm that they are antique and not reproduction. They did come out of an estate of two elderly ladies whose father was a police officer. From looking on this site I believe them to be old, however, I'd like that confirmed before selling.

The color is much darker in person. I've lightened the pictures to show better detail:



















Thanks!!

Linda

Those look nice. They appear to be authentic.

First of all, look at the cuff bows. They are forged to a sort of oval cross section. The Indian knockoffs are bent from flat stock. The tip of the bows have a slight shoulder where they snap into the gate. That makes it more difficult to shim the lock. The cheap knockoffs have none.

The hinge on the gate is forfed en-bloc with the gate. On the knockoffs, it is a folded strap swedged onto the end of the gate. The gate itself has a graceful shape in contrast to the crude cone of the knockoffs. The plug is staked in place with "crow feet." On the knockoffs, it is typically a ring of centerpunch marks.

The swivel is nicely formed and the chain rings are forge welded rather than electro-welded.

While not the best Hiatts I've ever seen, yours are nice, and have a nice patina. I'd not do any more cleaning than using an oily cloth and finger scrubbing to clean off the red rust. Then wipe them down so they don't look oily.

Hi everyone,

I have had these for quite some time and want to confirm that they are antique and not reproduction. They did come out of an estate of two elderly ladies whose father was a police officer. From looking on this site I believe them to be old, however, I'd like that confirmed before selling.

The color is much darker in person. I've lightened the pictures to show better detail:



















Thanks!!

Linda

Click to expand...

Thanks so much, Dennis! I'll give them a slight cleaning as you suggest.

Hi everyone,

I have had these for quite some time and want to confirm that they are antique and not reproduction. They did come out of an estate of two elderly ladies whose father was a police officer. From looking on this site I believe them to be old, however, I'd like that confirmed before selling.

The color is much darker in person. I've lightened the pictures to show better detail:



















Thanks!!

Linda

Click to expand...

those are the real deal, no doubts, i have several pairs like them. a quick light cleaning is all that is required and a little oil to keep the rust at bay. nice cuffs. bob.

Hi everyone,

I have had these for quite some time and want to confirm that they are antique and not reproduction. They did come out of an estate of two elderly ladies whose father was a police officer. From looking on this site I believe them to be old, however, I'd like that confirmed before selling.

The color is much darker in person. I've lightened the pictures to show better detail:



















Thanks!!

Linda

Click to expand...

Now that you know they are authentic, you probably want to know what they are worth. They are an average pair without the "quality" markings such as Best, Warranted Wrought. Vintage rather than antique. There are signs that someone has tried to force them open with a hammer which suggests that there is no key. My guess is they might fetch US$30 - $50. Why not keep them and start collecting!?

Hi everyone,

I have had these for quite some time and want to confirm that they are antique and not reproduction. They did come out of an estate of two elderly ladies whose father was a police officer. From looking on this site I believe them to be old, however, I'd like that confirmed before selling.

The color is much darker in person. I've lightened the pictures to show better detail:



















Thanks!!

Linda

Click to expand...

Thanks Bob and Paul for the additional information. Probably not something I'd start collecting, but I have to say I think they are very coooool!!

Hi everyone,

I have had these for quite some time and want to confirm that they are antique and not reproduction. They did come out of an estate of two elderly ladies whose father was a police officer. From looking on this site I believe them to be old, however, I'd like that confirmed before selling.

The color is much darker in person. I've lightened the pictures to show better detail:



















Thanks!!

Linda

Click to expand...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Police-Earl ... 0329655909

Hi everyone,

I have had these for quite some time and want to confirm that they are antique and not reproduction. They did come out of an estate of two elderly ladies whose father was a police officer. From looking on this site I believe them to be old, however, I'd like that confirmed before selling.

The color is much darker in person. I've lightened the pictures to show better detail:



















Thanks!!

Linda

Click to expand...

Should have gone with the pictures she posted here then what Linda used on ebay.

Hi everyone,

I have had these for quite some time and want to confirm that they are antique and not reproduction. They did come out of an estate of two elderly ladies whose father was a police officer. From looking on this site I believe them to be old, however, I'd like that confirmed before selling.

The color is much darker in person. I've lightened the pictures to show better detail:



















Thanks!!

Linda

Click to expand...

Thanks for posting the link - I listed them yesterday.

Took the time to clean them up with oil as suggested and to retake the pictures. I thought they looked pretty good. The first lot were perhaps a little clearer, is that the reason? I'm working with a new camera, and I haven't quite figured out all the settings yet....I s'pose it would help if I read the manual! :D

Thanks again!

Linda

Hi everyone,

I have had these for quite some time and want to confirm that they are antique and not reproduction. They did come out of an estate of two elderly ladies whose father was a police officer. From looking on this site I believe them to be old, however, I'd like that confirmed before selling.

The color is much darker in person. I've lightened the pictures to show better detail:



















Thanks!!

Linda

Click to expand...

I suspect the difference between the two sets of pix is that the first ones were a little lighter, and the second a little shinier. You mentioned that you lightened the first set.

I often manipulate the brightness of photos a little, by adding or subtracting Gamma. Gamma is some sort of combination of lightness and contrast. There's a slider for it on my photo software (Irfanview). It can be especially important on items with too little contrast, particularly dark or black stuff. A set of black cuffs often photographs as a featureless black shape, at least at my photo skill level. But you can tease the detail out by manipulating the gamma. I sell a lot of black knives, and it's the only way to reveal the texture in the grip and other details.

The oil sheen on the second pair added a reflection that may be distracting. Wiping the oil off may help that. In extremis, you could degrease them with alcohol or degreasing solvent, but be sure and re-oil them when you're done shooting, as they will rust quickly. A good rubdown with a shop rag is probably enough.

Good luck on your sale.