Darby Style Handcuffs

I’m a new collector and also new here. I’m trying to find out who made these Darby’s. Only markings are on the end of the barrel and the number 177 on one cuff and the key? Can anyone tell me the maker or are these just cheap third world Darby’s?

I would say they are the best third world Darby I have ever seen and worth keeping. Usually the Indian key hole is at right angles to the tube whereas this one is at a slight angle. The giveaways are the flattened nature if parts of the swivel. The English never did that. At the keyhole, you can see where the metal is doubled over when creating the hinge where a Darby lock tube is cast as one piece. The key head is very good. The bow is excellent and the pattern on the end of the lock is very well done.

I agree with Paul.  They could be India under British rule.

Ron

I have the same type of cuffs in my collections. I talked to Joe Lauher on this one, when I got them. I looked for the emails we sent back and forth to make sure i copied down his information correctly, but I have not located those emails as of yet. I believe I recall him saying that these darbys were used by the Police in the Southern Part of China. They are rather well made and a decent set of cuffs overall. I do not know who the actual manufacturer is or what country they were made in. Likely, they are made in China, since they were used in China. Joe, any thoughts or things I got wrong with the description?
-Richard Knip-

Thank you all for your input. Now I must say I bought these because I was told they are Hiatt late 1800’s. So should I contact the seller and ask for my money back? I’m sure he’d give me a refund and they were not cheap.

Yes. Indeed, I would ask for your money back for these. They are a decent cuff, but pale in comparison to a Hiatt cuff. I wouldnt put more than $30 to $40 on a set of these. These are also way more modern made, than the seller is claiming. Good luck to you!
-Richard Knip-

Thank you Richard. Yes I paid close to $250 for these and I have already contacted the seller who’s told me he will refund my purchase and shipping cost. Thanks again, Ron

Richard, that would make sense if they were from Hong Kong which was British ruled. 

The method of doubling up flat strip to make a hinge is a very common East Asian method (i.e India/Pakistan)  

I do not have the email between Joe Lauher and I any longer. I have looked through all of my cuff related emails, I have saved. Im hoping we can get his input on this topic. He may have said Hong Kong? My memory is not at all what it used to be. Hence why I keep notebooks and files on just about everything cuff related. I know I wrote down the info from those emails, but just cannot find it. Joe....where are you at? LOL!
-Richard Knip-

rejones68 wrote: ↑

May 12, 2021

Thank you Richard. Yes I paid close to $250 for these and I have already contacted the seller who’s told me he will refund my purchase and shipping cost. Thanks again, Ron

I am happy to hear this will have a positive outcome. Just to give you a heads up in the future on a Hiatt Darby purchase, $250 is a lot of money to ask for a standard Hiatt Darby. In todays market, they sell for close to $100 to about $125 or $150, for a very nice pair, working with key. Its even possible to find a more aged pair for under $100. I know the seller was saying that these are late 1800s. Most Hiatt Darbys that are pre-1900 production, had the date stamped on them. Most I have seen, anyway. A lot of Hiatt Darby cuffs were produced post 1900. The ones that are stamped with the date can pull a higher price, since the date of manufacture can be identified. They are also more rare, as you probably know. $200 or a little above that, wouldnt be too much to ask for a date stamped pair, in my opinion. I gave under $150 for my Backstrap Hiatt M&C 1898 Darbys with a date stamp on them (pictured below). I hope that helps you in your hunt and future decision for buying a pre-1900s Hiatt Darby.
-Richard Knip-

djhalfdead wrote: ↑

May 12, 2021

rejones68 wrote: ↑

May 12, 2021

Thank you Richard. Yes I paid close to $250 for these and I have already contacted the seller who’s told me he will refund my purchase and shipping cost. Thanks again, Ron

I am happy to hear this will have a positive outcome. Just to give you a heads up in the future on a Hiatt Darby purchase, $250 is a lot of money to ask for a standard Hiatt Darby. In todays market, they sell for close to $100 to about $125 or $150, for a very nice pair, working with key. Its even possible to find a more aged pair for under $100. I know the seller was saying that these are late 1800s. Most Hiatt Darbys that are pre-1900 production, had the date stamped on them. Most I have seen, anyway. A lot of Hiatt Darby cuffs were produced post 1900. The ones that are stamped with the date can pull a higher price, since the date of manufacture can be identified. They are also more rare, as you probably know. $200 or a little above that, wouldnt be too much to ask for a date stamped pair, in my opinion. I gave under $150 for my Backstrap Hiatt M&C 1898 Darbys with a date stamp on them (pictured below). I hope that helps you in your hunt and future decision for buying a pre-1900s Hiatt Darby.
-Richard Knip-DARBY BACKSTRAP M&C 1898 NON ADJUSTABLE HANDCUFFS #1042.JPG

Click to expand...

Hi Richard. I would say very few of the Hiatt darbies made between 1800 and 1900 are dated and that those that are dated are from around 1850 to WW1 because the cuffs made for government Military and Civilian use had to be dated. I'd say there were just as many Hiatt darbies made in the hundred years prior to 1900 as there were darbies made after 1900. It is not that easy to date a darby cuff by looking at it but I can usually pick the century or half century. Cheers Paul

Thank you for that information Paul. Unfortunately, the only dated Hiatts I have seen were dated 1880 and up. I would love to find one for sale that is around 1850! Hiatt, to me, has always been a hard company to date and identify their cuffs. Even their modern stuff, usually doesnt have any distinct markings and have no model numbers on them. I have had a struggle, since the start of my collecting, identifying and dating my Hiatt cuffs. Joe's British Handcuffs books has been indispensable to me. I would love to get a set of the Handcuff Annual books as well. I missed those, when they were available.
-Richard Knip-

I shipped the cuffs back to the seller today and I’m waiting for the refund from the seller

djhalfdead wrote: ↑

May 13, 2021

Thank you for that information Paul. Unfortunately, the only dated Hiatts I have seen were dated 1880 and up. I would love to find one for sale that is around 1850! Hiatt, to me, has always been a hard company to date and identify their cuffs. Even their modern stuff, usually doesnt have any distinct markings and have no model numbers on them. I have had a struggle, since the start of my collecting, identifying and dating my Hiatt cuffs. Joe's British Handcuffs books has been indispensable to me. I would love to get a set of the Handcuff Annual books as well. I missed those, when they were available.
-Richard Knip-

Hi Richard, the earliest dated Hiatt I have is 1860. Joe has one from 1859 I think. I have a Field and Sons marked B/|\O for Board of Ordnance which ceased around 1855. These dated cuffs correspond with British Wars (usually) because that is when the government ordered more of them. The wars that come to mind with approximate dates are Crimea 1850's, Boer 1880's and 1900s, WW1 1914. Cuffs after WW1 do not interest me but then you have WW2 and Korea.
I too was late on the scene for the Handcuff Annuals, but I'm sure Joe won't mind me saying that as time goes on we have learned even more about the cuffs and most of the information is on this forum if you can find it.(darbies that is)  Paul

Howdy Amigo!
How are you doing today? Great I sincerely hope so.
I have recently started Collecting Handcuffs and I am living in beautiful , crime free Buenos Aires , Argentina. ( Most definitely a JOKE! )
But the Argentines at one point in time Copied the "Darby" style cuffs and but they normally have an Argentine Maker's Mark on one of the rounded tops of the cuffs.
Still, they may have been made in Spain. Unfortunately I still have a bit of trouble using them quickly because I don't know which way the Key turns to unlock the cuffs! Sounds silly and I'm probably just doing something wrong.
I don't know if I have to Compress the "Bow" slightly when I am Trying to take them off. Not that I can bend the Bows but that's what it feels like.
I'm just doing something wrong because sometimes they open without any problems.

I grabbed a set of  Hinged Bren Brno cuffs yesterday for about $28.00 bucks and they don't look like they are as old as they should be since the company that produced them was sold to Alfa Proj   to be sold under the name Ralkem.

Oh well,
Stay Healthy Boys and Girls!
Tejano Libre Folding Hinged Model that you can Fold in either direction.