Unknown Darby Handcuffs

 

Here is a nice Darby handcuff which appears very similar to a Hiatt design, but it doesn't have a makers mark. The seller suggests it's from "India" and while I understand there WAS a golden age of Indian Darby manufacture, the term "Indian Darby" suggests the very low quality modern replicas which I've mentioned before and will post about again soon because I have recently seen a pair of those inferior "restraints" posted on Reddit with the suggestion that they were from the Civil War. Luckily, several commenters linked to the "Real or Replica" page and I took the opportunity to advertise my blog there.

Anyway this has an ornate older style key with a single number stamping and there don't appear to be any other markings. The end cap closure method looks very Hiatt to me, as well the swivel. 

These are on eBay with a starting bid of $35 or best offer. I might place an offer just to see. 

Above, close up detail of the key and the hinge. Looking at the key detail, (and assuming this is the original key) I am almost certain this is an unmarked Hiatt. And yet. Something looks different about the cuff to lock tube transition angle, and perhaps the hinge love is a bit larger. Maybe not. 

For reference, the key entering the lock tube "at an angle" like this is a good indicator of a true antique or vintage cuff. You can see the quality in the flush surface of the hinge, as well as the tightness of the hinge. 

Below, comparison with modern Darby "antique" Garbage Darbys. As noted above, where the key enters is fully flat. Also note the crudeness of both the hinge and the key itself. The hinge is made of a piece of metal folded double around the shackle end. The key is beyond plain; this conical key style is a giveaway. People sometimes think "antique=old=crudely fashioned without proper tech/skill" but the truth is that these metalworkers were incredibly skilled artesians, and these designs lasted many, MANY decades, and still work perfectly today. 

Above: worthless garbage for comparison 

Above, close up detail of the hinge and keyway. You can see the "key landing" or the flat half indentation just left of the keyway; this is the flat surface on which the underside of the "shoulder" of the key bears as it turns. Modern false restraints don't have this quality design. Again, note the tightness of the hinge, which is never present in "garbage Darbys"