Cuff of the Day for May 13. Nichols

Here is the schedule for this week
Monday - Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic/Slovak Republic
Tuesday  - Rankin
Wednesday -  Nichols
Thursday - Scandinavian restraints
Friday - Palmer
Saturday - Bean
Sunday - Pre 1800's restraints from around the world

Please send me your suggestions for future days.

Today we study the handcuffs made by James Nichols.  Nichols was Thomas Griffin's partner and took over the company when Griffin died in 1816.
Nichols carried on the business until his death in about 1860.   His company became part of T.A. Longmore.  Cuffs with name are known, but few in number.

Nichols made Darby cuffs, plug 8s and leg irons.

The photos below show two cuffs, a standard Darby and back strap Darby.
Both cuffs have the common curved Nichols logo.


Many cuffs like these are know.   But interestingly a few examples of a more modern looking Nichols handcuff are also known.
The cuff shown above has unusual markings.  Nichols is printed in large block letters and the cuffs are marked Birmingham, which was not seen with the
more common versions of Nichols cuffs.  The cuff is odd in other ways as well. The two cuffs themselves are not a good match and are slightly different sizes. 
The simply show less quality control than traditional Nichols cuffs.  My theory is that these cuffs were made after the T.A. Longmore purchase.  Perhaps cuffs marked Longmore did not sell well and they returned to the Nichols imprint.     Somewhat like modern day Safariland returning to the Hiatt name for their handcuffs.

I only have one single Nichols stamped cuff. Also stamped "Parish Bromsgrove".

Bromsgrove, Worcestershire - when Thomas Griffin had lived prior to Birmingham and where Thomas Griffin Hiatt was born. I wonder if Nichols had a link to Bromsgrove as well, or was an apprentice or relative.

 I have a couple of odd pieces A long chain and a mismatched pair 

Nichols  Backstrap Long Chain

Nichols mismatched Backstap  

Nichols  

I have shown both of my Nichols cuffs on previous threads. The long chain handcuff is still stuck in shipping, as the auction was just won less than 2 weeks ago. I hope to have it soon. The Long chain with the key, belongs to my friend in the U.K., who found the set without the key and sold it to me. Both are stamped "Nichols."

Then I also have the very heavy Plug 8 Leg Iron, I shared on another thread. Still have both plugs in them as well as the original key.

These are the only two Nichols marked cuffs I have, for now. Always on the hunt for more!
-Richard Knip-

Let’s not forget Alex Nichols who has published three excellent books/booklet on Handcuffs and Restraints. He is now in his 91st year and has been collecting handcuffs for over 70 years!
Dan and I visited him and Sheila last November. I do have a couple of copies of his Volume 2 available RRP is £25 but can offer them at £18 plus postage.

Chris, truely amazing. I've been in contact with Alex many times during the years and had the pleasure to see him two or three times at conventions
in Antwerp. Alex is a great person and a true gentleman.

Lars

Chris -
Yes indeed! We should honor Alex on Nichols Day!.
I stayed at his wonderful home for a couple of nights 15 years ago or so.
He was a wonderful host and great gentleman.
Joe

I find myself using his 3 books, almost daily! I really wish there would have been a fourth or even a fifth, to showcase newer restraints and some that have been found, that were not shown in the original 3 books.
-Richard Knip-

Nichols Figure 8 Side Snap.
Possible Nichols Plug Eight and Leg irons.
The Plug 8 and Leg irons are only stamped N. N on the key of Plug 8 and N on the tubes of leg irons. The letter stamp looks identical. The Plug 8 has original key, both cuff and key numbered 12.
The leg irons are VERY old. They are light weight with thin bows, and typical of the older leg irons, they have a very long key similar in thickness to a handcuff key and a short bolt similar to a handcuff bolt. Because of the age of the leg iron and the N stamp, I can only think it could be made by Nichols because he would have been around in the time period. It reminds me of the letter stamps on the end caps of Darbies, which have been attributed to the worker who made the cuff.

DJ, I love those heavy leg irons. I was going to bid on the long chain cuffs but did not trust the postal services. I have a cuff still being tracked 9 weeks after posting and it has not left my city!
Paul

The only Nichols that I can contribute here is the one I met at my 1st Euro con.
A very fine gentleman and I am glad that he is still getting around.
A most excellent weekend it was 10 years ago!

Nichols restraints are now becoming quite difficult to find. This set of Nichols Plug LI appears to be very similar to Richards set. They are marked NTG which was Nottingham Gaol which closed in about 1850.
What is interesting is that they have a spike on the locking bolt so a hollow key is needed making picking them a lot more difficult. They weigh 2.15kg and although there is no number stamped on them they have dots on the key and shackles which Paul mentioned when we were talking about Griffin cuffs.

Nichols plug 8 cuffs - nothing special.
Nichols Long Chain Darby
Nichols Darby Nickel plated, these are a little odd, they do not appear to be over 160 years old and the way the caps have been put on looks more like a Hiatt cuff made from the 1930’s