My Agency's Choice of High Securtiy Handcuffs

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

I spent 25 years (now retired) as a Senior Officer in HM Prison Service so can speak with some authority - the Escort handcuffs are designed precisely for that (Escorts) and are usually used with inserts to provide a snug secure fit. (The Detainer handcuffs are usually used for female prisoners or removals under restraint within a secure environment).

As for your staff being lazy in their application, well I would suggest that this is a procedural matter because before any escort was despatched, the handcuffs had to be checked as secure (and signed to that effect) by a supervisory officer.

If you need any further information then providing you can verify that you are employed by a bona fide agency with a Home Office contract, I would be happy to assist in any way I can.

Paul

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

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Thanks Paul just really looking for opinions and experience, I have plenty of resources opened to me on the official front but not really much I need from that aspect. Just interested on peoples experiences.

Thanks again


All the best and stay safe


Officer-Safety

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Hi, in Australia the Chubb Escort is used for all escorts and court appearances.

As a locksmith, I can say that the Chubb AVA mechanism is virtually unpickable and makes for an excellent handcuff mechanism.

The "Arrest" or detainer Chubb can be fairly easily picked even when on deadlock. The slide button at the rear of the cuff can be slide to allow picking thru the keyhole. Also if the cuff is not deadlocked ( correct training required ) the cuffs can be shimmed. The standard keyed model differs very slightly from the "prison use" keyed model and a very simple piece of wire will open both.

Ian McColl

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Hi to all, My opinion is that the best High Security Handcuff is the Saf-Lok Mk V Hinged, it allows for small and oversized wrists in its design. Ian McColl mentioned about Chubb Handcuffs being used for Escorts and Courts in Australia, well that is not quite correct.In Queensland Saf-Lok are used and have been for as long as I can remember, a few minor agencies use other brands.

Steve Gage

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Hi Steve Gage, Queensland is a place all to it's self and yes you are right. Being a Victorian, I forgot about Queensland. Queensland has also used the Hagge (lips) style hinged handcuff.

When the rest of the country was using darbies , Queensland was using Bean and Tower handcuff purchased thru Hiatts and stamped with their name.

As to the best handcuff for arrest work, I would have to agree that the SAF-LOK MK V is one of the best, but in Victoria there seems to be a reluctance with using the hinged version.

Steve are you from Queensland?

Ian

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Everyone knows you are a VictorIAN, Ian. (And that is how it came to be.)

Cheers,

Jack

P.S. Have you ever heard the song by The Clash, "London McColl-ing"?

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Hi Jack (now that alone is funny)Seasons greeting to you and yes there a even an ian in Australian. I do like the Clash but never locked at it that way. (the track will never be the same, Now!!)

I should have said in my first post that what I know is what happens in Victoria (the state were I live, bottom left hand corner of Australia and not Austria as sometimes it gets mixed up like at the olympics)

Ian

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Ian

I thought Victoria was in the bottom right hand corner.

I guess it depends upon your perspective. Are you on earth (or below) looking up? Or are you in heaven looking down?

Joe

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

The following note and pictures come from Gordon Gluff.

Joe

Ian

I have a leg iron in my collection that has always been a mystery. It looks like a Tower but is marked HIATT ENGLAND and BEST BRITISH MAKE Numerous theories about this. But you solve the mystery by saying bought from Tower and marked Hiatt, ( for Australia?)

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Gordon

I have a Hiatt copy of a Tower handcuff, that is of a smaller size than a normal Tower handcuff. Thus I have always assumed that it was actually made by Hiatt. How do the dimensions of your leg iron compare to a normal Tower legiron?

Joe





A comparison of a Hiatt Tower, shown on top, with an original American Tower handcuff, shown on the bottom. The Hiatt cuff has a smaller size and a somewhat different shape showing that is was manufactured independently. (These pictures are taken from by book on British Handcuffs.)

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Dear Ian,

Yes, Victoria is at the "bottom left hand corner", on the IndIAN Ocean. I have friends in Perth, Victoria. They got lost there, and still are trying to find Melbourne! (Yes, Joe, you are correct, unless one holds the map in front of a mirror and reads the reflection.)

You mean the AustrIAN OlympIAN?

You actually could live almost anywhere and do almost anything. You could be a RussIAN physicIAN, a BelgIAN mathematicIAN, a BrazilIAN musicIAN, an ItalIAN politicIAN, a HungarIAN magicIAN, an EthiopIAN electricIAN, a CanadIAN technicIAN and more.

Incidentally, The Clash originally were called The McClash. It had not the right ring to it, though, so the name was changed.

Cheers,

Jack

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Sorry guys, bottom left hand corner. I am sure that's where I live. Finding it hard to type with tears in my eyes from laughing....

Here ends the geography lesson....
Joe more on the Hiatts Tower soon.

Ian

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Hi Ian and all collectors,

Ian, I am from Victoria also, place called Wonthaggi. After the Government gave me a free trip to Vietnam I decided to later move to Brisbane with my family. Sorry if I caused a stir amoungst the men, however it was a good laugh. Thanks for the other bits of info. I am the State Armourer for DCS in Queensland, and have been in the Prison system for 30 years, on the right side that is.

Cheers,

Steve

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Dear Steve,

Would that be the top, bottom or centre right side?

Cheers,

Jack

P.S. My government gave away lots of free trips to Vietnam. I myself declined that generous invitation.

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Hi Steve, thanks for the info, 20 years ago I got a letter froma cop from Queensland that had found a Dortmuder handcuff on the beach with a metal detector. No idea why it was there or why a Dortmunder was in queensland. I will try to dig up the letter and get a name, so you might be able to track him down.

Jack, I am sure Steve knows where Queensland is located, it was only me that had trouble with left and right.

Joe, I will take photos of the Queensland police (marked)Tower handcuffs and Bean leg iron, these also have a broard arror on them. According to the information from Alex Nichols or Tom Gross it appears that Hiatt bought the rights to make several other makers cuffs, I had thought they imported and then stamped their mark and resold them on. It seems that they did there own tooling and producted there own look alike products hence the slight but noticeable differences.

Ian
(bottom right corner)

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

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Hi all:
I have 2 different Hiatt marked Bean handcuffs. they are different from each other and different from the US made Bean. One does not have a locking button, and the one that does has a smaller one than the US made version. The shape of the lock case is also different from US models, and the shape of the movable bow is different. The opening for the wrists is also larger than the US version. Pictures are on my CD, and I've also sent them to Joe to post here. I'm still looking for the Hiatt Tower cuff and LI
Stan




Markings on Hiatt Bean with locking buttons.


Hiatt Bean with lock button closeup


Hiatt Bean without locking buttons.


Markings on Hiatt Bean without locking buttons.

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Hi , I have taken photos of the Hiatt made Bean leg iron ( no arming button ) stamped Hiatt and QP (Queensland police) and broad arrow. Also a picture of the Tower (QP) leg iron which is an original Tower made piece.

I have sent them to Joe and he should post them soon.

thanks Joe

Ian

Dear forum members,

I have some questions regarding my agency’s choice of high security escort handcuffs. We have a mixture of Chubb Escorts and more recently purchased Chubb Detainers. I teach Officer Safety within my agency and have little experience of the actual security aspect of the handcuffs. Any information would be appreciated. I have concerns with the Chubb Escort from a staff training point of view, I feel that some staff can be lazy and sometimes do not use the inserts that would be required for individuals with thin wrists obviously leaving a major security issue with the cuffs, so I tend to prefer the Detainer model as it is a ratchet cuff and alleviates that training issue for me, however I believe the locking mechanism within the Escort looks more secure than the mechanism in the Detainer? I have noticed that Chubb use two names for the Detainer model, I have also seen it being called the Arrest model, is it the same model or have I made a mistake.

Yours thankfully

Take care and stay safe


Officer Safety

Click to expand...

Hi Joe, my photos keep bounces back, cannot get them to you, any thoughts.

Ian