Any Info about W. Cowen Handcuffs?

I just picked up an Irish 8 handcuff that was made by a company that I'm not too familiar with. Does anyone have any information about a company named W. Cowen? 
The only place that I've seen them mentioned before was on a list of English cuff manufacturers that Joe L. had brought the Lancaster Lock Show a few years ago.
I'm not sure how common or rare they are and was hoping that someone here would know something more about the company.
 Besides the company markings, on the opposite side of the hinge, it appears to be marked with "WD". There might be some markings above the "WD" that I can't make out either.



Both the cuff and the key are both marked 44.



Any info would be appreciated.

The date 1882, and WD (war department) with broad arrow above suggests that these were made for the British in the first Boer War in South Africa.
I have a vague recollection there was a thread on this here many years ago.
Paul Davies

I don't know anything more about them.  It is nice to see the number matched key.
I have two pairs, both dated 1883.

Joe

Thanks, Paul and Joe. I searched the Forum for Cowen and came up with nothing, but when I searched for Irish 8's I came up with two Cowen marked cuffs posted in "Cuff of the Day" for May 1st. One of the two that Joe mentioned above, a nice plated version with a clearer stamping. Lars also posted one in the same thread. Those are the only two I've ever seen and I only noticed them today. Do you think that they were made by Hiatt and just stamped and sold by Cowen, or would Cowen have manufactured them?

You'd have to expect a more prolific manufacturer like Hiatt or Froggatt or Thompson made them. Comparing the key to other figure 8s is always useful.

I think it quite likely that they were made by Hiatt.
The anti-English feelings in Ireland at the time would have likely favored a non-English name.

Since the War Department is English, there must be another explanation for a different name on the cuffs in 1882 Boer War period. These would have been supplied under contract to the WD. These contracts stipulated that the items be dated. It is likely that Cowan was supplying a range of supplies to WD which also included handcuffs which they sourced from elsewhere.
Figure 8 "Irish 8" cuffs with a screw key are associated with Ireland because of their use after the 1916 Irish rebellion, but are a natural progression from the "plug 8" which were around since Griffin began making cuffs in volume.
It seems the manufacturer had no problems with adding a retailers name to their cuffs given the number of different names that appear on similar 8's and darby cuffs etc.
Even if your cuff was marked Hiatt, I'd be proud to own it. Congrats

cAN ANYONE HELP i WAS GIVEN A PAIR OF  W Cowen  fIGURE 8 HANDCUFFS  WITH A KEY THEy  ARE MARKED WITH THE NUMBER 38 ON ONE CUFF AND ALSO THE NUMBER 2 ON THE OTHER ONE  they also come with the orginal case selling for a charity 

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Jun 11, 2023

cAN ANYONE HELP i WAS GIVEN A PAIR OF  W Cowen  fIGURE 8 HANDCUFFS  WITH A KEY THEy  ARE MARKED WITH THE NUMBER 38 ON ONE CUFF AND ALSO THE NUMBER 2 ON THE OTHER ONE  they also come with the orginal case selling for a charity 

How much are you asking for this set and can you upload a picture of the cuffs, please?
-Richard Knip-