Froggatt Darby handcuffs
I already have Darby handcuffs by Hiatt, RCS (Reuben Cardstock and Sons), JG 1952 (don't know much about them) and maybe one more, but the absolutely gorgeous molten chocolate brown patina on these is stunning to me, absolutely striking.
These were listed as "Vintage Iron Handcuffs With Key" for $180 or best offer. An offer was accepted.
(I have just learned that eBay no longer shows WHAT the accepted price was in these cases, only that the item was sold and in some cases it appears as if full price was paid unless one uses eBay tool Terapeak.)
Anyway, I can tell you that it sold for $160, because I bought it, because I just had to have it. I know patinas can be forced rapidly upon a surface using a variety of chemicals and processes. I've done a hot blueing on a pair of Hiatt 115s myself, but this deep, even, rich dark brown patina is just beautiful, and I wonder what conditions it has been stored in to cause such a colorful finish.
If these are really iron as opposed to steel that may explain it. I'm not much of a metallurgist. Many of the older Froggatt and providence tool company shackles I've seen have had deeper brown patinas, as compared to more recent Hiatts at least.
Interesting addendum: these Froggatt Darby handcuffs are a bit older than my Hiatt 104, and not quite as standardized. One of the cuffs is noticably smaller/tighter than the other!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love these regardless.