Hiatt

Hiatt and Co.

Birmingham, England

Founded ~1780

Hiatt was, and remains, an integral part of the heritage and history of handcuffs and shackles. Based in Birmingham, England, Hiatt has been present from the early days of the end cap lock cuffs, the Darby designs steel and later in lightweight alloy, to modern swing through ratcheting cuffs, and high security high-tech restraints innovations. 

Initially Hiatt was producing "felons irons, gang chains, collars, gate locks as well as horse and dog collars."

Given that Hiatt has been such a prolific manufacturer for over two CENTURIES, it's no surprise that their restraints have been used in some of the worst human rights transgressions to have ever occurred, including the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and Guantanamo Bay. The EU eventually banned the export of leg restraints, in part due to controversy when foreign states had political prisoners in restraints branded "Made in England" from Hiatt. 

In 1986, Hiatt partnered with American Businessman Chuck Thompson, in order to bring Hiatt restraints to the American law enforcement market. This Hiatt became Hiatt Thompson and distribution began in the USA.

Hiatt Thompson was then purchased by Combined Systems, Inc in 2010 and become CTS Thompson Handcuffs and Restraints, operating under the umbrella of Combined Systems, Inc and C & S Security along with the Safariland branding. 

Darby Restraints, Steel Production

Above, Hiatt model 104 Darby Handcuffs, steel, with original key from the authors own collection. This is an earlier but not earliest example of the Darby production, (see comparison re: Irish 8s at Hiatt Darby Comparison)

Below, close up detail of the stamped markings HIATT BEST WARRANTED WROUGHT also marked 93 as is the key. I got these for $68 in 2018 with the original key.

These are solid snap shut cuffs with a sleek swivel. They came in a number of unmarked sizes. 

Below, Hiatt 115 adjustable Darby handcuffs from the authors own collection. Note the swivel has two equally sized lobes. This particular pair was the recipient (victim?) of my first attempt at a hot bluing process. Results are good but blotchy. The key is present but not pictured. I got these for $87 in 2018 with the original key.

Above, Hiatt 104L (large) steel Darby shackles from the authors own collection. Key present but not pictured. These were produced in two sizes, but large is more common. These are quite heavy and have a large swivel, eight long twist links, and two stout O rings. I paid $160 for these with the original key.

Below, close up detail of the lock tube, keyway, hinge and Hiatt makers mark stamp. 

Hiatt Darby Restraints, Alloy Production 

Above, Hiatt 104 handcuffs in alloy from the authors own collection. Note the domed rivets at the hinges, and the steel connecting hardware. The key, present but not pictured, is alloy as well. These were $49.95 in 2018 with the original key.

Below, this is the later alloy model 115 adjustable Darby handcuffs from the authors own collection. 

Note the swivel is unevenly sized as compared to the prior example. This is the unfinished color of the alloy; the alloy models (104, 115, 104L in large size) were also available in nickel plating or a futuristic smooth black finish which unfortunately chips off quite readily. The key, present but not shown, is alloy as well. These keys must be used gently as the alloy is sort; later versions of at least the alloy 104L leg iron used an alloy key with an internal threaded sleeve insert. 

These were $39.95 in 2018 with the original key. 

Above, Hiatt 104L alloy Darby shackles.  Note the steel connecting hardware, and hinge pins. These were $59.95 in 2018 with the original key. 

Below, close up detail showing the lock tube, flush steel hinge rivet, keyway, and Hiatt makers mark stamp. 

Hiatt Swing Through Restraints 

 

Below, one of the earliest modern looking designs, the Hiatt 1960 which used a hollow round key. Note how the swivel is very much the same as many Darby designs.  These sold for $66 after 19 bids.

Below, the Hiatt 1970 model which is even more modern looking, in fact this shape may have been the inspire for today's Taiwanese manufacturers of B grade cuffs, as they have a similar softness to the lock case/cuff body corners. These sold for $34.89 after 6 bids.

Below, the very modern looking Hiatt 1970. Note the sideways pointing keyhole. 

Above, the Hiatt oversized handcuffs which are actually just leg irons with a handcuff chain. $55.48 after 10 bids.

Above, Hiatt modern basic hinged handcuffs. These have a close fit and three solid hinge pieces. Exposed domed rivets and a push pin lock round out this solid restraint. 

Above, Hiatts maximum security hinged handcuffs with an elaborate secondary lock tube below the lock case which uses a tumbler key. This essentially functions as the double lock. Note the hinge pieces are the same as above while the cuffs themselves are attached to the high security double lock tube. These sold for $161.50 after 27 bids.

Above, Hiatts ultimate oversized hinged-rigid handcuffs. They fold to carry and when snapped open the mechanism locks rigidly. There is a central keyhole to enable the cuffs to fold again. This pair sold for $88.89 after 20 bids.

Hiatt also produced a fully rigid hinged handcuff with high density plastic overlay. This three pawl lock can be finicky; I've found non-Hiatt standard handcuff keys, even professional grade extended keys, to sometimes *just* miss one of the outboard pawls and hang up the ratchet mechanism. This primarily happens when the key is slightly tilted upon turning. 

Above, Hiatt rigid handcuffs from the authors own collection. The plastic overmold has been removed. 

Below, Hiatt model 5000 leg irons with the signature oversized coarse straight link chain and large O rings. These are modern swing through ratcheting cuffs with push pin double lock. This model is surprisingly lacking in the fine finish quality compared to the other restraints; I would say even the off brand Taiwanese leg irons have a better fit and finish than these.

Hiatt, operating as CTS Thompson, then released an updated pair of leg irons, the model 9000, as seen below.  Note the more rectangular lock case/cuff body as compared to the prior model which has a longer and more square cuff body. 

Below, an example of the nickel plated alloy 104L shackles. Note the fine twist link chain and the flat top key. 

Above, close up detail of the excellent in nickel plating and the makers mark stamp MADE IN ENGLAND as well as the end cap peening on the far right. Note again the flat topped key, characteristic of the alloy production run. 

Above, this is the current or modern example of the Hiatt hinged handcuffs. The contrast color branding is an interesting choice which stands out compared to the stamped marks on Smith and Wesson. 

Below, view folded. 

Below, the modern oversized chain handcuffs.

Above, the H Thompson chained handcuffs. 

A rare extended hinged handcuff from Hiatt. This pair sold for $119.50 after 24 bids.

This is a rare example of the Non-swing through Hiatt hinged handcuffs. A shim is riveted between the double strands so that the cuff can not swing through and thus is more secure against prying or shimming. 

Above, note the two additional rivets which hole the inner part between the double strands. The single strand can only rotate this far. It's too bad these have a bunch of rust spots but they would probably fade away with the right treatment.