lauher
#1In his second book Alex Nichols notes a entry that he found in the Peck's Trade Directory of Birmingham 1896-987. "James Sanbrook & Son is listed as "handcuff & leg-irons, curb etc." " Alex notes that no example of a Sanbrook cuff is known.
A curb is a type of horse bit and an examination of various refrences on the internet shows that James Sanbrook was primarily a manufacturer of chain and various harness equipment. On Google books I found a book written by James' great-grandson John Sanbrook, primarily a biography of his father, also named John. The book entitled "In My Father's Time" by John Sanbrook was published in 2008 and can be found on Amazon.
Earlier trade directories include references to a William Sanbrook, curb and chain maker, also on Burrows street. Here is a reference from the 1875 Commercial Directory and Shippers Guide.
It would seem likely that William was James's father. The John Sanbrook book states that his great-grandfather James Sandbook was born on March 1 1858, but it does not list his great-great-grandfather's name. I can find no additional reference connecting the Sanbrook family to handcuffs, the family business was clearly chain and harness equipment.
Last winter I bought the Darby handcuff shown below on eBay. The name is not completely clear, but one can make out the name W SANBROOK. The cuff and key are standard in other respects.
It appears that the handcuff business started with William Sanbrook and was carried on by James.
So I believe we have established a new cuff manufacturer adding to the many other known 19th century Birmingham firms.
If anyone else has a Sanbrook cuff or knows more about the family business, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Joe
A curb is a type of horse bit and an examination of various refrences on the internet shows that James Sanbrook was primarily a manufacturer of chain and various harness equipment. On Google books I found a book written by James' great-grandson John Sanbrook, primarily a biography of his father, also named John. The book entitled "In My Father's Time" by John Sanbrook was published in 2008 and can be found on Amazon.
Earlier trade directories include references to a William Sanbrook, curb and chain maker, also on Burrows street. Here is a reference from the 1875 Commercial Directory and Shippers Guide.
It would seem likely that William was James's father. The John Sanbrook book states that his great-grandfather James Sandbook was born on March 1 1858, but it does not list his great-great-grandfather's name. I can find no additional reference connecting the Sanbrook family to handcuffs, the family business was clearly chain and harness equipment.
Last winter I bought the Darby handcuff shown below on eBay. The name is not completely clear, but one can make out the name W SANBROOK. The cuff and key are standard in other respects.
It appears that the handcuff business started with William Sanbrook and was carried on by James.
So I believe we have established a new cuff manufacturer adding to the many other known 19th century Birmingham firms.
If anyone else has a Sanbrook cuff or knows more about the family business, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Joe