Known as the "Hiatt Irish Eight" pattern, these type are believed to have seen extensive use in both the 2nd Boer War (Securing Boer P.O.W.'s) & in Ireland

These handcuffs offered vastly greater security (As the prisoner's hands were held tightly together) not allowing dexterous moves that may have allowed the prisoner to "pick" the cuff-lock

The lock mechanism is in perfect working order, but has no key

It will likely open with any standard (later pattern) Derby "HIATT" brand tube-key. These are internally threaded, & wind-inward to compress, then release, the cuff's gate mechanism.

Maker-marked "HIATT" who were & remain, the PREMIERE Manufacturers to British Police Forces for over 2 centuries

Stamped post-production with constable's # "3"

This "Irish Eight" (AKA "Plug Eight") type of handcuff, was chosen to grace the cover of the premiere reference book on handcuff collecting by Joseph Lauher Whose fabulous handcuff WEB PAGES seen HERE http://tinyurl.com/8rx6noh

In 1818 Thomas Griffin Hiatt appears in the Wrightson Directory for the first time as a manufacturer of felon's irons & gate locks, located on Moor St. in Birmingham

Some time in the next few years Hiatt moved around the corner to 26 Masshouse Lane, where he is located in the next edition of the Wrightson's Birmingham directory as a manufacturer of felon's irons, gate lock, handcuffs, horse & dog collars

The independent Hiatt Company prospered. By 1845 William John Hiatt was running the company & in 1858 the Dix Birmingham Directory contained this listing

"Hiatt William John, (successor to the late Thos. Griffin Hiatt) handcuff manufacr to Her Majesty's Honorable Board of Ordanace & original manufacturer of all kinds of police & other handcuffs, police leg, &, travelling irons, police staves, sabers, pistols rattles, & lanterns, 16 Masshouseln; h, Moseley rd. Balsallheath"

The Hiatt Company remained at the 26 Masshouse Lane address until the premises were destroyed by the WW2 German bombing in 1941