Darby Question for Joe

Joe I can research this in your books but want to touch base with you.

Wasn’t there a William Field and Co Darby?

If so, where were they located? Dates of manufacturing?

Depending, I may have some really interesting info.

Brad


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Brad
Field and Sons was a major distributor of handcuffs during the 19th century. They were located in London on Holburn Street.
It is not clear if they ever made cuffs. Most people thing they just bought cuffs made by Hiatt with the Field name added.
I have not heard of a cuff marked William Field and Co.
You now have me intrigued.
Joe

Here is a good link identifying William Field
Parker field sons etc

Hello fellas,
On the topic of darby's, I just picked a really nice dowler super indentant light model. The home made key is trash though. I'm looking for an original key. Would this be the home office key.
As always thank you for any insight.
Gav

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It should just be a normal screw key of undetermined thread. So you can try any other darby keys you have.

Check with your Field and Sons that it is not left hand thread before trying RH keys. My darby thread kit has one tap for RH and two for LH for Fields .  Would like to see a photo (with cuff up the right way and not Joe's way.)

EDIT >right way<, UP

Ian, do you have a key for a dowler light weight darby? Long skinny key.

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Well, see this excerpt from “Providence Tool Co. Military Arms” by Edward A. Hull, c1979. @p3.

This Wm Field was a Prov resident and businessman. His family, immigrated from England in the late 1600s, William Field family.

Field Point in Prov was the family homesite. Related to that is “The Field Family History” online and availability for view. Google it, but I will send a web address in a few minutes.

I think maybe Mr Field May be the reason that PTC elected to make a Darby style cuff and so early in our mfg history. Ours may have real English roots and not just a knockoff.

I hope I can upload this for all to see. If not I’ll pm to you.

Spencer is chasing PTC info so this might help him.

Ok here we go


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Joe, see memory.loc.gov, Field Family of Providence.

Did you get the pm pics?


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Here are Brad's pictures.
Thanks Brad.
I love a good story.
Neat stuff
Joe

Brad

Thanks for the info.

Spencer

Also if you read the family history you’ll note that he had a son named Darby.

Talk about taking your work home!


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spidydenver1234 wrote: ↑

Apr 15, 2020

Ian, do you have a key for a dowler light weight darby? Long skinny key.

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email me at imccoll@dcsi.net.au

When I was doing the timeline about 10 years ago for the Clark/Parker/Field businesses, selling firearms, swords, handcuffs - and from the late 1830s, general police equipment, I did see a Field connection to Prov Tool Co. Obviously late 1600's is too early for the screw key darby as we know it. The thinking at the time was that Field was a very common name and probably not related to the London family but I encourage any new research into this area.

Thanks, Paul that helps. Seems that cousin Bill in Providence and cousin Bill in Birmingham could occasionally write to each other, though.

Guess I’ll keep reading the family history and see where it goes.

The work you produced was terrific!

Brad


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