rare find

I have owned two sets of cuffs for a number of years. I am reliably informed that these are chain gang cuffs snd hsve had an offer of $450.00 for one set. I would like to sell the other set which comprises 2 cuffs, one end lock and 2 keys.
I am not sure what the level of interest in these items would be. They are stamped as made by Hiatt and were probably in use from 1840 on. If you are interest ed contact me. I will give more history and photos. top price secures payment by paypal only JoeB

The cuffs described in the earlier message are called "chain gang cuffs" I am not 100% certain that this is an accurate description. These cuffs were in use in North London in the 19th century, I would think at Pentonville Prison, Islington, and of course the British penal system did not use the chain gang as a method of control. Interestingly Pentonville the first radial prison in Britain was used as a transportation prison. Prisoners after serving twelve months in solitary confinement were then transported for life to the colonies.
After twelve months in solitary, subsisting on a spartan diet of bread,water and religion in complete silence most were mentally unprepared for life as colonial pioneers. Therefore they presented a control problem during transportation. It was common when transporting prisoners by ship to chain them down to the decks for the duration of the voyage being released only for occasional excercise.
I am fairly confident of this form of restraint,after spending twentyseven years in the British Prison Service. I am aware that prisoners being moved to the Isle of Wight from London were so restrained.
My only other experience of this type of restraint being used was on Arab slavers trading between the East African coast and Bagdahd in the early 1960s. Slaves were chained in long rows on the open decks of Dhows, the chains being run through shackles and secured to the decks. however I did not get close enough to identify the cuffs used. But Hiatt have never been particular about their customers.
I came by these cuffs from an old lady at a church hall sale, she had a family conection with Pentonville prison from its opening in 1840. I suspect they originated from one of her family members.
I would like to sell these cuffs, and have tried unsuccessfully to insert a photo into this website. Should you be interested please e-mail me and I will supply pictures. If you decide to buy send me your best offer. if they are not sold by private deal they will be placed for auction with one of the large auction houses

I have owned two sets of cuffs for a number of years. I am reliably informed that these are chain gang cuffs snd hsve had an offer of $450.00 for one set. I would like to sell the other set which comprises 2 cuffs, one end lock and 2 keys.
I am not sure what the level of interest in these items would be. They are stamped as made by Hiatt and were probably in use from 1840 on. If you are interest ed contact me. I will give more history and photos. top price secures payment by paypal only JoeB

The cuffs described in the earlier message are called "chain gang cuffs" I am not 100% certain that this is an accurate description. These cuffs were in use in North London in the 19th century, I would think at Pentonville Prison, Islington, and of course the British penal system did not use the chain gang as a method of control. Interestingly Pentonville the first radial prison in Britain was used as a transportation prison. Prisoners after serving twelve months in solitary confinement were then transported for life to the colonies.
After twelve months in solitary, subsisting on a spartan diet of bread,water and religion in complete silence most were mentally unprepared for life as colonial pioneers. Therefore they presented a control problem during transportation. It was common when transporting prisoners by ship to chain them down to the decks for the duration of the voyage being released only for occasional excercise.
I am fairly confident of this form of restraint,after spending twentyseven years in the British Prison Service. I am aware that prisoners being moved to the Isle of Wight from London were so restrained.
My only other experience of this type of restraint being used was on Arab slavers trading between the East African coast and Bagdahd in the early 1960s. Slaves were chained in long rows on the open decks of Dhows, the chains being run through shackles and secured to the decks. however I did not get close enough to identify the cuffs used. But Hiatt have never been particular about their customers.
I came by these cuffs from an old lady at a church hall sale, she had a family conection with Pentonville prison from its opening in 1840. I suspect they originated from one of her family members.
I would like to sell these cuffs, and have tried unsuccessfully to insert a photo into this website. Should you be interested please e-mail me and I will supply pictures. If you decide to buy send me your best offer. if they are not sold by private deal they will be placed for auction with one of the large auction houses