Correct, those cuffs in the pics aren’t adjustable, otherwise we would see the bows sticking out through the lock cases.
Darbies were used by our cops here in the UK until as recently as the early 1970’s and even then not all officers carried them as part of their duty equipment – in many areas a few pairs were kept at police stations and issued only as required in particular situations. Policing methods here were very different back in those days and even when handcuffs were used they were normally put on in front – as in these pics – giving the wearer a formidibable weapon of course, if he felt so inclined to use it.
They certainly are an iconic cuff, but practical they are not for modern policing methods. They are weighty, bulky and dificult to apply to anybody who doesn’t want to be cuffed. They had to be carried in the open position as the unlocking procedure involves insertindg a bulky key and turning it several times in order to release the locking bolt – not a quick procedure!
The other main down-side with the Darby style is that (apart from the adjustable model that was rarely issued as standard equipment in the UK) because they aren’t adjustable they’re effectively on a one-size-fits-all principle. The Hiatts were in fact produced in 3 standars sizes, 1, 2 and 3. Size 2 was the standard issue to serving officers but whichever size was used, there was no means of adjusting the size of the bracelet so that a prisoner with hands smaller than the circumference of the cuffs had little or no difficulty in slipping them off – a common occurrence!
In my reply above I referred to the Darbies being on the one-size-fits-all principle and pointed out that they are ineffective on anyone with small hands but it’s also worth mentioning that they are even more ineffective when trying to use them on a guy with large wrists – you just can’t get ’em on!
Hiatt Darbies are my favorite cuffs for long term scenarios. They fit the wrist comfortably with no sharp edges. The guy in the pics is hot!
I have several pair of these. Despite their simplistic looks, they are quite effective. Some are adjustable, those don’t appear to be.
I may even get a tattoo of a pair.
Correct, those cuffs in the pics aren’t adjustable, otherwise we would see the bows sticking out through the lock cases.
Darbies were used by our cops here in the UK until as recently as the early 1970’s and even then not all officers carried them as part of their duty equipment – in many areas a few pairs were kept at police stations and issued only as required in particular situations. Policing methods here were very different back in those days and even when handcuffs were used they were normally put on in front – as in these pics – giving the wearer a formidibable weapon of course, if he felt so inclined to use it.
They certainly are an iconic cuff, but practical they are not for modern policing methods. They are weighty, bulky and dificult to apply to anybody who doesn’t want to be cuffed. They had to be carried in the open position as the unlocking procedure involves insertindg a bulky key and turning it several times in order to release the locking bolt – not a quick procedure!
The other main down-side with the Darby style is that (apart from the adjustable model that was rarely issued as standard equipment in the UK) because they aren’t adjustable they’re effectively on a one-size-fits-all principle. The Hiatts were in fact produced in 3 standars sizes, 1, 2 and 3. Size 2 was the standard issue to serving officers but whichever size was used, there was no means of adjusting the size of the bracelet so that a prisoner with hands smaller than the circumference of the cuffs had little or no difficulty in slipping them off – a common occurrence!
In spite of all that I love ’em.
The Hiatt Darby is a great cuff – one of my favourites.
I learned about Hiatts at Mr Cox mountain lodge – (thankfully) comfortable for long term. Mine let me try a position before I lock, sneaky.
In my reply above I referred to the Darbies being on the one-size-fits-all principle and pointed out that they are ineffective on anyone with small hands but it’s also worth mentioning that they are even more ineffective when trying to use them on a guy with large wrists – you just can’t get ’em on!