EARLIEST HANDCUFFS - HELP - PLEASE!!!!!!!!

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Hi Lee:

A very simple answer, presuming you are wishing to depict a "watch and ward" scenario from 18th century Great Britain: they didn't have any handcuffs.

At most, the individual would have carried a truncheon as a symbol of office, which would range anywhere from the staff carried by the beadle of the parish to a tipstaff wielded by a bailiff or constable.

Franklin

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Lee:

I will defer to our English police guys around here, but for your purposes, I think what would be historically correct is to outfit your display with a rattle. Almost impossible to describe, but it is a stick, with a thing that whirls around, with a clapper attached, and all made out of wood.

The theory behind the thing was to raise "hue and cry" such that all subjects of the King were alerted to come about to pursue and apprehend lawbreakers. Indeed today perhaps an antique concept when we now deny any personal responsibility for preserving the peace and rely solely upon paid policemen to discharge that responsibility. But, at that time, it was seen as a duty upon all to preserve the King's peace.

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

There are many versions of the "police" rattle. Some have a single reed others have a double reeds. They are extremely loud and were used by the military as well. This model has a folding handle and is fairly uncommon.

Good luck with your display.

Damon

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

I believe that the plug 8 cuffs were made in the late 18th century, but it is unlikely they would have been carried by anyone on the street. The classic Darby seems to have come later in the early 19th century.

Joe

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

It should also be noted that latter adaptations of this contraption were used for mirth and merriment.
Consider the song performed best by Bill Haley & His Comets, "Shake, Rattle and Roll".

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

It should also be noted that latter adaptations of this contraption were used for mirth and merriment.
Consider the song performed best by Bill Haley & His Comets, "Shake, Rattle and Roll".

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

One of my rattles is identical to Damon's but the retailer is C & W Almond -Marked M&C for Military and Civil. Who actually made them is unknown. The Folding type were used by Police but were replaced with the whistle as the Police were being assaulted with their own lead weighted rattles.
It WAS my belief that the first London Police in the 1830/40s carried an "8" handcuff of some kind probably supplied by Parker and Field 233 High Street,Holborn and manufactured by Hiatt. But the lack of these in collections marked Parker or Field and the higher number of Parker Darby handcuffs suggests otherwise to me. Just my opinion.
Paul

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Many thanks to all who responded to my query. I am somewhat the wiser.

If ever I can fathom out how to upload photos will show some of the bits and pieces that I have acquired so far for my display should anyone be interested.

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Think I have worked this out!!!!!!!!! If there is no image then I apologise (down to senility I'm afraid - also a technophobe).

Original watchman's lantern; early C19th or possible late C18th. Glass is with an antique glass restorer at present and lantern awaiting cleaning up.

2 original watchman's rattles, both single reed. Would like a double reed but haven't been able to source one.

Smaller Metropolitan Police type rattle, generically the same as that with folding handle, made to fit inside special pocket in Met tunic.

Wooden tipstave copied from an original and made for me by a wood turner. Waiting for painting up and cyphering by a local traditional sign writer.

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Hey Lee, You got it right except you needed to remove the th_ from the picture url so the pictures would load as full size instead of as a thumbnail.



like this.

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Second time lucky. I hope!!!!

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Just to be clear. What you are asking about is - what was used in the late 1700's.
Most of what is shown here are mid to late 1800's.
So the earliest known handcuff makers, as far as we know, are Griffin and Hiatt, either together or separate. If we believe the advertising, they were established in 1780, before Hiatt was born, but when Griffin was 30. Prior to that, the local blacksmith or whitesmith would have been commissioned. The earliest dated cuff I have is 1816 made by a whitesmith in East Retford.

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Further to my request some weeks ago. I have read somewhere of early restraints consting of a piece of wood with a leather thong that could be twisted so as to secure someone.

Does anyone know of an artists impression of what exactly these might have looked like?

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Dear Lee,

This may be to what you refer. The picture is from Michael Busch's outstanding Web site.



Michael refers to it as "French Leather Strap Come-Along" as a caption to the thumbnail image on --

http://vincula.de/4786.html

The French made wooden-handled nippers utilising rope, leather and braided, coiled steel links to surround the wrist and be twisted.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Is this what your asking about [/IMG]

Just what I needed. Much obliged to you.

Dear Lee,

This may be to what you refer. The picture is from Michael Busch's outstanding Web site.



Michael refers to it as "French Leather Strap Come-Along" as a caption to the thumbnail image on --

http://vincula.de/4786.html

The French made wooden-handled nippers utilising rope, leather and braided, coiled steel links to surround the wrist and be twisted.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

Click to expand...

Again I am obliged to you.

I have just joined the forum in the hope that someone can help. I have an interest in policing during the Hanoverian / Regency period and am putting together a costumed impression of an C18th constable or night watchman. The idea is to set up an interpretive display at various living history events around the U.K. To this end I have assembled a variety of "props" to create interest for the public.

Now - the question is, were there handcuffs in the late C18th? I have trawled the Internet looking for conclusive information as to if there were, and if so what they might have looked like. To date I am none the wiser.

If some kind soul can help then I would be indebted.

Dear Lee Timmins,

I am contacting you in the hope that you can help!

My name is Lucy May and I am the Assistant Buyer on Series 3 of Poldark.

I have been doing some research into the watchmen and came across your exhibition table on this forum. I have showed the designer the photograph of your props set on the table and he loves the tipstave you had made and has asked me to contact you about purchasing it from you...if you still have it!?!
If not are you able to tell me where you had it made, please?

Please reply to my email address: lucy_2391@hotmail.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Lucy May