Hiatt handcuffs.

We have recently inherited some hiatt handcuffs into our police museum and I am anxious to identify the age of one particular pair.  They are stamped Hiatt, with "warranted wrought" sideways just below then a figure 6. "hard" is stamped on the other side.  The Key is stamped No 6. Can anyone help please?

erichopes wrote: ↑

Jul 28, 2022

We have recently inherited some hiatt handcuffs into our police museum and I am anxious to identify the age of one particular pair.  They are stamped Hiatt, with "warranted wrought" sideways just below then a figure 6. "hard" is stamped on the other side.  The Key is stamped No 6. Can anyone help please?

Would you please upload a picture of the cuffs and key you are referring to? A picture of how the name and stamps are placed would be helpful as well. We can try to give you some assistance on identifying a model number as well as possibly a time frame in which they would have been manufactured. I look forward to seeing what you have added to the museum!
-Richard Knip-

As you will see there is a deal of rust to remove but I hope these pics will help.  Many thanks for such a quick reply!

Thank you for the pics. That does help to identify the cuffs you have. Your cuff is a standard model 104 Darby Handcuff that was made by Hiatt located in the United Kingdom. The key is certainly an older style and the "HIATT" name stamp being laid out in a straight line, also says its an older pair. To the best of my knowledge, i would place them as being made in the late 1800s to early 1900s. There are a few members on the page here who specialize in British made cuffs, so hopefully they can confirm what I am seeing?

The rust or "patina" on them is indicative of their age. Its up to you how far you want to take them on a restoration? I know being a museum piece, prettier is usually better. But, in this case, im not sure I would strip the years away from them? I quite like the way they look now? Maybe use a light brushing with a fine steel wool, just to knockoff any of the loose rust flakes and loose debris on them, then give them a good rub down with a light oil. Just to seal the brown patina that resides on them now? If you decide to fully clean them, there is a company that makes a product called Evapo-Rust. Its sold in most Farm supply and Automotive type stores. I will eat the rust away and leave the bare metal underneath. The downside being if the rust is deep and has eaten holes or pock marks into the surface, you will be left with a dimpled finish. It doesnt replace any metal the rust has eaten, it just removes the rust. If im going to restore a lightly rusted cuff, i do about a 6-12 hour soak, remove the cuff and wipe the remaining patina away. Then wash with soap and water to remove any Evapo-rust left behind. Lastly I seal the surface with a light rub in oil. I wipe of most of the oil, after rubbing it into the surface, leaving a very thin film covering the cuff. You can also have the bare metal polished to a high shine with a series of polishing compounds and polishing wheels, etc. This will better show how the cuffs would have generally looked when they came from the factory. Depending of course, on the desired look you want for the finished product you will have on display. I hope that helps!
-Richard Knip-

It is certainly an older Hiatt cuff and the matching numbered key seems very early and uncommon. The two rings of the shoulder of the key is the uncommon part.  I would date it mid to late 1800s. The serifed font and smaller size of the stamping also suggest an early cuff. The really early ones have lettering about 1mm in height. 
As a curator of a museum you'll know not to restore it, but to preserve it and keep the patina. Therefore a little oil or wax and a rub with a cloth to remove loose material is best. Rust, after all, is a natural protective coating for metal, but humidity is the enemy.

In my experience using a product called PB blaster works well because it will attack the rust but not destroy any patina.

Spencer