Hiatt Rare Models

Getting back to the Handcuffs Hiatt produced a huge variety of handcuffs and restraints in their 200 year history.
They produced in limited quantities or prototypes lots of interesting items. Here are 3 from my collection:
Firstly the Hiatt 1960 MK2. Thirty years ago I only knew of 1 in the collection of Martin from Belgium. Further research would appear that Hiatt produced these mainly for export to South Africa and they wanted a cuff with the same key as their standard police cuffs. So Hiatt made the MK2 pattern which took a simple key and did not double lock. Oven the part 20 years several have turned up and there are probably 15 now known.
2nd interesting pattern/prototype is the 1960 with a barrel key. Again only single locking and only 1 known.
3rd is a prototype of their 1980 pattern. These were designed by Peter LaTrobe son of Harry LaTrobe the MD of Hiatt. Long story but without going into details Peter left Hiatt and set up The LaTrobe Handcuff Co. The 1980 pattern he designed was advertised but never went into production. The new technical adviser redesigned a Snap On handcuff which was far more user friendly. A prototype was made with the Hiatt 1980 cuff and Snap on which is now in my collection. Only one known! Photos attached:

Those are some interesting examples. Thanks for sharing. I have seen pictures of a 1960 with somewhat modern style keyways but never seen one for sale. The one with the weird 2 position looking keyway is rather intriguing.

Wow, what a refreshing post!

Here are a couple of mine that I picked up along the way.
One has been described to be a prototype, and we know who may have some choice words to say about "prototypes" so I hope he can remain silent and keep out of this discussion.

This one is named "Mark 2" and I believe it was produced in very limited numbers.



Got this one with Stan Willis as he found two of these.  They don't have any name stamped into it just 3-digit serial numbers.



Not too many of these around.  Lars picked one up a couple years ago.

I am not sure where this article came from, but enjoy.

Doubtful that these were Hiatts, as they look like Chubbs.

The attached letter claims that they are not from Chubb, so maybe there is a very minimal chance that Hiatt wanted a similar looking model to compete with them?

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs wrote: ↑

May 09, 2025

Doubtful that these were Hiatts, as they look like Chubbs.

The attached letter claims that they are not from Chubb, so maybe there is a very minimal chance that Hiatt wanted a similar looking model to compete with them?

Chubb unknown aa.jpg

They do have a strong Chubb aesthetic I think. Very nice though. Nothing about them screams HIATT at all, to me.

Great photos Mark. Now the Hiatt Nigerian Pattern is a very interesting story. Very rare only know of 3 over here! The one in my collection has an amazing history. I bought it at auction (lot 129) and paid £28. Loved it then Tom Gross visited me in about 1999 and he brought with him a bag a goodies! We fur several trades and one included the Nigerian cuffs. Over the next 20 years I never did find a replacement and Tom would not sell them back to me! Unfortunately as we all know Tom died about 5 years ago and 3 years ago part of his collection went to auction including his Kimball cuffs. The remainder went into storage and eventually Lars went across to the US and catalogues the remaining items which included the Nigerian Cuffs. As we all know Lars passed away 18 months ago so I contacted Ulrica and managed to buy the Nigerian Pattern cuffs back! With that history they are one of my top 10 cuffs.
They are actually shown in Alex’s book volume 1. Photos attached also included close up of the Hiatt 1980 markings.

Thanks for sharing the story.
They are back at home where they belong!
And you have the Lars element included.  A very special cuff for your collection.
Welcome back to the NCCA - Nigerian Cuff Collectors Association!

My eyes went directly to your key which looks the same as mine, so I believe we both have original keys.
If so, my pair should be worth a little bit more.
I actually wondered what an original key looked like since I bought these, and I was not aware that there are only 3 of them around.
I am only aware of yours and mine, but I can imagine that there should be a few dozen around somewhere.

A couple more Hiatts that are hard to find.


Just shy of 10 years ago.  Where did the time go?

What's the deal with Hiatt-Thompson vs CTS-Thompson? I have heard of both and I have a purple and a yellow CTS Thompson. But not seen any HIATT-Thompson in the UK that I can recall. Is it a similar thing to when HIATT ha a deal with Peerless to use their stuff, that kind of thing? If so, who was using who's stuff?

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs wrote: ↑

May 09, 2025

Wow, what a refreshing post!

Here are a couple of mine that I picked up along the way.
One has been described to be a prototype, and we know who may have some choice words to say about "prototypes" so I hope he can remain silent and keep out of this discussion.

hiatt 1960.jpgThis one is named "Mark 2" and I believe it was produced in very limited numbers.



Hiatt 1960 Proto 1.jpgGot this one with Stan Willis as he found two of these.  They don't have any name stamped into it just 3-digit serial numbers.



hiatt Nigerian.jpgNot too many of these around.  Lars picked one up a couple years ago.

hiatt article.jpgI am not sure where this article came from, but enjoy.

Click to expand...

MAGA Mark, it either a solid bit key or a pipe (barrel) key, not a solid post key. (The 'post' is what a pipe or barrel key roates on.)

I sure do not need you to correct me.
I do not value anything you have to say.
Unlike you who calls himself a "locksmith", I am a real locksmith who helps people when they have issues with locks and keys, and you simply hang out in a crummy rickety shed and cast keys all day.
I open safes for those who are unable to, and I do this on all kinds of search warrants for every kind of law enforcement agencies.
I go out in the middle of the night and restore security after one suffered a burglary.

I don't need you to tell me my business.
We call these keys "solid post" interchangeably with "solid  bit" in the real locksmith world.  We do not use the term "Pipe" key at all.
I have had my locksmith business for 50 years and my shop will celebrate our 100th anniversary next year, so I appreciate if you don't ever respond to me ever again.
I thank you in advance for staying in your dingy shack and never try to correct me again.

Three more rare Hiatt handcuffs:

Model 121 Towers Copy. These are similar to the US Towers DL cuffs but slightly lighter and smaller. Don’t know of any others in the UK

Model 122 Bean Copy made in two models, the first one did not have locking buttons and is 10 times rarer than the model with the locking buttons. The locking buttons do not automatically click and need to be pushed to keep the cuffs ready for arrest.

Model 124 Flexibles, these are quite rare think I have come across 6 sets in 50 years. I just love the set shown here a bit like Marks one from Earls collection. I got this set from Don Hinz many years ago. Don helped me add many rare items to my collection. He often stamped his name his cuffs and Legirons. These escaped! Happy memories of a great collector.

Lest we forget the Reliant.

I have the box for them too.

1937? I thought it was common knowledge that the Hiatt-Peerless were from the 1960s? I know I have seen a graphic on here which stated which variations came from which eras.

Edit: found it.

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs wrote: ↑

May 10, 2025

I sure do not need you to correct me.
I do not value anything you have to say.
Unlike you who calls himself a "locksmith", I am a real locksmith who helps people when they have issues with locks and keys, and you simply hang out in a crummy rickety shed and cast keys all day.
I open safes for those who are unable to, and I do this on all kinds of search warrants for every kind of law enforcement agencies.
I go out in the middle of the night and restore security after one suffered a burglary.

I don't need you to tell me my business.
We call these keys "solid post" interchangeably with "solid  bit" in the real locksmith world.  We do not use the term "Pipe" key at all.
I have had my locksmith business for 50 years and my shop will celebrate our 100th anniversary next year, so I appreciate if you don't ever respond to me ever again.
I thank you in advance for staying in your dingy shack and never try to correct me again.thumbnail_IMG_3829.jpg

Click to expand...

Tried to help and educate and all I get is MAGA Christian hate and abuse. Your Jesus character would be proud) , good one MAGA Mark. At least there wasn't a racist overtone in this post.

Ian McColl wrote: ↑

May 11, 2025

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs wrote: ↑

May 10, 2025

I sure do not need you to correct me.
I do not value anything you have to say.
Unlike you who calls himself a "locksmith", I am a real locksmith who helps people when they have issues with locks and keys, and you simply hang out in a crummy rickety shed and cast keys all day.
I open safes for those who are unable to, and I do this on all kinds of search warrants for every kind of law enforcement agencies.
I go out in the middle of the night and restore security after one suffered a burglary.

I don't need you to tell me my business.
We call these keys "solid post" interchangeably with "solid  bit" in the real locksmith world.  We do not use the term "Pipe" key at all.
I have had my locksmith business for 50 years and my shop will celebrate our 100th anniversary next year, so I appreciate if you don't ever respond to me ever again.
I thank you in advance for staying in your dingy shack and never try to correct me again.thumbnail_IMG_3829.jpg

Tried to help and educate and all I get is MAGA Christian hate and abuse. Your Jesus character would be proud) , good one MAGA Mark. At least there wasn't a racist overtone in this post.

Click to expand...

Trust me,
We don't need your garbage.  Not 1 person is learning a thing from you, I promise!
Everyone here is an adult, minus you, so we are fully capable of formulating our own opinion and don't need your crap.
Leave us alone!

silentbd wrote: ↑

May 11, 2025

1937? I thought it was common knowledge that the Hiatt-Peerless were from the 1960s? I know I have seen a graphic on here which stated which variations came from which eras.

Edit: found it.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
I may have gotten some bad info about these.  I usually do my own research, but if I believe what is listed here by someone in the know, I use that info until I can update it with more accurate info.  That is why we need to preserve our community and stand against a particular idiot who wants to destroy the integrity of this site.

Mark your photo of the Hiatt Reliant cuffs show the wrong key. The Reliants did not double lock and the key was a single bitted key as shown in photo. Also shows the original advert for them. They are rare about 1000 were made and over 500 were returned as the Star Wheel was very brittle and often a tooth would break.
Also shown is a catalogue from about 1972 showing the Peerless Model. Note the price of £6!! This was over twice the price for their 1960 or Darby pattern so they did not sell many of them.

Just found the advert for the 1980 pattern. Quality is not very good but gives you an idea of the concept.

I bet that would be a cool one to own because of the weight. The over all HIATTS 1970 design, I am not a fan of. So I can imagine that 1980 variant of it in aluminium might not have been too great either in build quality and resilience. I think the one they came out with after, which is very similar in aesthetic to the regular 2010 model was much nicer.

Did the reliant have pawl(s) and a wheel type design or was it just a wheel?

The Reliants had a simple single star wheel. They were patented in the UK number 741000 will try and find my copy to share.

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs wrote: ↑

May 11, 2025

silentbd wrote: ↑

May 11, 2025

1937? I thought it was common knowledge that the Hiatt-Peerless were from the 1960s? I know I have seen a graphic on here which stated which variations came from which eras.

Edit: found it.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
I may have gotten some bad info about these.  I usually do my own research, but if I believe what is listed here by someone in the know, I use that info until I can update it with more accurate info.  That is why we need to preserve our community and stand against a particular idiot who wants to destroy the integrity of this site.

Click to expand...

MAGA Mark, I see Chris's need to correct you, I have corrected you four times this year and and a fifth for your racist comment (also a comment that Chris objected too at this site) The only idiots here are the MAGA folk and the cowardly anons. None of them know right from wrong as they hypocrite righteous patriot pious selfish bigots. Describe to me how you think the integrity of this site is increased with fucking stupid AI generated picture you produced and your abusive rants? Don't talk about being childish when that is your only MO. Anytime a person points out a piece of misinformation or comment from ignorance, the come back is a tantrum like a doll fell out out of the pram. When you are wrong, you are wrong, suck it up.

silentbd wrote: ↑

May 11, 2025

I bet that would be a cool one to own because of the weight. The over all HIATTS 1970 design, I am not a fan of. So I can imagine that 1980 variant of it in aluminium might not have been too great either in build quality and resilience. I think the one they came out with after, which is very similar in aesthetic to the regular 2010 model was much nicer.

Did the reliant have pawl(s) and a wheel type design or was it just a wheel?

The Reliant had a pawl to inhibit the rotation direction of the 'star' wheel. When the key lifted the pawl, the wheel was free to reverse direction and bow withdrawn. The issue with the operation is that the small star wheel clashed with the teeth of the ratchet. Unlike the Gotcha where the mechanism was a cog wheel and rack, The Reliant had the triangular teeth of the bow trying to mesh with disproportionate shaped pointed  star wheel. In the Reliant I have handled, sometimes the bow passed thru the lock in a nice clean pass but on the next rotation of the bow, the tip of the bow would jam as it entered and wouldn't move at all. On other attempts, the bow could be half way thru the lock when it would lock up as the star wheel tried to ride up the angle of the ratchet teeth and force the bow downward, making the bow groove jam on the indents.  It was a very unReliable cuff.

Ian McColl wrote: ↑

May 13, 2025

Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs wrote: ↑

May 11, 2025

silentbd wrote: ↑

May 11, 2025

1937? I thought it was common knowledge that the Hiatt-Peerless were from the 1960s? I know I have seen a graphic on here which stated which variations came from which eras.

Edit: found it.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
I may have gotten some bad info about these.  I usually do my own research, but if I believe what is listed here by someone in the know, I use that info until I can update it with more accurate info.  That is why we need to preserve our community and stand against a particular idiot who wants to destroy the integrity of this site.

MAGA Mark, I see Chris's need to correct you, I have corrected you four times this year and and a fifth for your racist comment (also a comment that Chris objected too at this site) The only idiots here are the MAGA folk and the cowardly anons. None of them know right from wrong as they hypocrite righteous patriot pious selfish bigots. Describe to me how you think the integrity of this site is increased with fucking stupid AI generated picture you produced and your abusive rants? Don't talk about being childish when that is your only MO. Anytime a person points out a piece of misinformation or comment from ignorance, the come back is a tantrum like a doll fell out out of the pram. When you are wrong, you are wrong, suck it up.

Click to expand...

MAGA McColl,

Yes, Chris is a well-respected, knowledgeable, friendly contributor that all of us (including you) look up to.
He is helpful to this community, many of us have traded or experienced excellent transactions and he has never hurt anyone with name calling, belittling, ripping anyone off, posted crappy political or religious rants, mistreated anyone and has only been a friend and is very helpful to us

In contrast, you have been awful, you rip people off, are mean, rude, crude, post crap every chance you can, hurtful, call people names, are ignorant, childish, a pest, an ogre, a jerk, unhelpful, miserable, twisted and literally the most hated guy in these pages.  All of us have the greatest disdain possible for you!
You are the exact opposite of Chris!
Let's just call you the Anti-Chris! 
It is a fact that you will never be 1/1000.000.000.000.000th as respected as Chris, but you could certainly learn from him.

Your corrections to me are useless and don't take any of them seriously, because I have the ability to consider the source and the source is not much different than raw sewer water to me.
If and when Chris corrects me, I appreciate the fact that he is being a friend and I trust what he offers as the truth.  If you attempt to correct me, I treat it as a lie or just ignore it.  You offer me nothing in the way of knowledge or integrity.  You are like a gnat buzzing around in my ear.

As far as your fixation on my "Chinesium" joke, you are a fool!
It is not racist, it was a joke, and it is ironic that I was at the Griffith Observatory yesterday and took some pictures for you in case you decided to rant about this again...and you did less than 24 hours after I took these pics.
For those that are not aware, I once used the term to describe a crappily made product of which is made up of cheap inferior metal, like the keys MAGA McColl rips people off with.  He deemed that as a racist comment, and I mentioned that many elements on this planet were named after the nationality of its discoverer or where the element was first located.
Here are some pics to maybe put this to rest as I don't take being called a racist by anyone, particularly from a jerk.
I have many friends from all over the world and cultures and the only people I dislike are narcissistic jerks.  I can even tolerate burglars as they keep me in business.

I wouldn't even waste my time writing to an infantile jerk like this, but I just want to squelch the racist rant that idiot boy is spewing.

The above are not considered racist and only an idiotic sociopath would think that an element from China is.

The below element is not named after a country or region, but it could be one of the most beneficial elements on the planet.
MAGA McColl, would you digest some of it if I send some out your way?