Griffin and Nichols Darby

I just recently bought a Griffin and Nichols Darby on eBay.  It was the first important cuff I have added to the collection is quite some time.
The cuff was made essentially two hundred years ago.   The Griffin and Nichols joint partnership was created in 1813 when Thomas Hiatt left the partnership.
In 1816 Griffin died.  Although we don't know when Nichols quit marking cuffs marked with Griffin's name, I think it was rather soon. So I would say this cuff was made between 1813 and 1820.

The other unique thing about that makes it quite special is the key.  It came without a key and when it arrived I immediately tried keys from other cuffs in the collection.
Nothing would fit until I tried one of my few left handed keys.   I have about 200 or so English Darbies and only four or five are left handed. So this new cuff is not only one of my oldest Darbies it is also left handed.

I do have another Griffin and Nichols Darby already, but it is of a unique style different than standard Darbies.  I think it is likely the oldest Darby I own.  So I can say this one is now my oldest left handed example.
I would really like to find a Darby just marked Griffin, but that remains a find for another day.

Joe

Nice find Joe.  I plan to post three cuffs I was lucky to get including a Griffin soon. 

Ron

Very nice, Joe! I saw that one going around on Ebay. When I seen that it was sold, i wonder if one of us had gotten it. Congrats! A really cool piece!
-Richard Knip-

Joe, I'll sign it for you LOL.

escapeguy wrote: Joe, I'll sign it for you LOL.

Thanks Michael. I will ask Alex to do the same.

Joe, I goofed.  I do not have a Griffin.  I was thinking about a Parker which I picked up.  Taking pictures now.

Ron

That is an important cuff Joe. Great condition too. 
The seller seemed to know its value. 
eBay is killing off my interest in cuffs at the moment, with a new 10% tax to Australia and import restrictions via Global Shipping Program, but I love seeing what new finds you guys are getting.
Congrats
Paul Davies

Paul wrote: eBay is killing off my interest in cuffs at the moment, with a new 10% tax to Australia and import restrictions via Global Shipping Program, but I love seeing what new finds you guys are getting.
Congrats
Paul Davies

Ah the irony of the injustice!

Between the excessive tariffs, tolls, taxation, restrictions and the ever increasing cost of living, soon only criminals will be able to afford handcuffs.

I’m still saving up for this vintage set….

Jason
 

grenchat wrote:I’m still saving up for this vintage set….


 

The shipping is too costly to warrant the purchase

Good job, Joe. I stared right at it and did not spot the names. I probably would never have worked out the left handedness. But then you are the master of Chirality.

If I may ask the stupid question, please humor me.  When you say 'left handed' you are referring to the pitch of the screw?  Left hand thread.

Yes, exactly that.  You turn the key to the left to screw it in.  It is a great example of a early "high security" key.

Virtually anybody with a threaded Darby key would get it wrong, even if they had the right key.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-hand_rule 
see section helices and screws for image.

I was always taught 'Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey' and it worked for me right up to the cross product.

"cross' product.......... what? 
Is there a do it yourself crucifixion? you know you can never get that last nail in alone. LOL

No, just one of two ways to multiply vectors. It uses the right hand rule.

Question: Was it common to screw the key all the way in to open or did they screw in part way and pull?
Thanks

I am building a set of Darby style cuffs as an exercise in Blacksmithing
Because of the technical challenges involved.
Are there any historical accounts of a blacksmith being consigned to make cuff for anyone?.
Thanks

I consigned a Blacksmith named Fleckhammer, in Wandin Victoria to produced 5 Plug 8 handcuffs back in the 1980's. Most Asian Darbies are blacksmithed. European and British (pre and post brexit LOL) are cast. I'd really like to see your finished work, would be  a fun task.

Thanks for the info I will post pics soon

Big Dog Forge, did you make the shackle in the post "Restraint from Senegal slavery" ?

I am very new to this so I'm not sure what your referring to sorry

about three down on the list of topic is a  post titled ...."Restraint from Senegal slavery

by BornToEscape posted in The Forum at Handcuffs.Org " the shackle in the photo is blacksmithed  and  looks very clean and new. It would be an ideal project for a journeyman blacksmith as a project. 

Here's a photo let me know what you think.
Mechanically they turned out very well, 
A YouTube video of the complete build will be posted in a couple of days.

Nicely done, Big Dog! Those are pretty cool looking!
-Richard Knip-