Hiatt serial numbers

Hey,

New to the group so apologies if this is covered elsewhere...

I have a pair of Hiatt handcuffs from a relative in England.  She worked with the Met and at Strangeways prison.  They look to be 2010 model.  What is the significance, if any, of the serial number stamped on the bow?  Can a year of manufacture, or any other information be determined by it?  #468644.  No keys!  Do Hiatts require a Hiatt key or will a universal key work.  Currently have thr pins pushed in to keep folks from locking themselves up.

Thanks!

I am not aware of any hardcore method of dating them based on serial, but that seems to me, just as a vibe like it would be 1990s. But that has no basis other than my thought. You do not need specific hiatt keys and Universal keys will work however be careful with "universal" keys as they usually have a keyflag which does not stick up enough to always catch all 3 pawl bars when undoing them, so you may find you turn a "universal key" and it does not unlock. But don't panic. Just insert the key fully, turn the key lightly until you feel it touch the pawls and then ever so slightly pull the key out of the keyway and then turn. The attached picture should help. A serial on them, to me, just looks nicer than having one where it's ground off.

Peerless keys work perfectly, Smith & Wesson keys are a bit jammy to insert and then withdraw but they do work, TCH keys work. Zak Tool make some great after-market keys and they are also used by police, as they often have a much larger grip on them. If you see a picture of a key and the key flag (the but on the end that inserts into the keyway) looks more square rather than elongated / rectangular then it is likely a generic "Universal" key and you will need to do the technique if it fails to easily unlock. Hope that helps.

"Vibe" is an informal slang term that means the mood or atmosphere of a person, place, or event. It can also refer to a distinctive feeling or quality that can be sensed. For example, you might describe a place as having a "good vibe" or "bad vibe". 

Stopped by my local law enforcement supply place to try the keys available.  They gave me 4 keys from an ammo box half-full of them!  They're perfect.  Now I can free friends who are bound to fiddle with them.

Thanks for the help!