Name/Title
Field and Son heavyweight backstrap "Darby" handcuffs c1850 -1877Entry/Object ID
463Description
Darby style unplated heavyweight backstrap handcuffs, stamped " J.Field & Son 233 Holborn London", with key stamped with a "6" then possibly a "5". They originally had an old collector's sticker attached with the number "61".Use
To restrain prisoners. This type was in use across Sussex from at least the mid 19th century until the 1960s.Context
These type of fixed handcuffs are known as "Darbies" or "D" cuffs. "Darbies" is a 17th century word used to refer to all types of hand/wrist restraints and "D" refers to the shape of this style. This type, which were made by various makers, do not have a lock in the strictest sense as they have a simple bolt which is released by screwing in the "key". This simple robust design probably explains why these type of handcuffs were in use for over 100 years.
These particular handcuffs are stamped "J. Field & Son". Field (also known as Parker and Parker Field), was a London firm of gunsmiths and sword makers, who supplied police equipment throughout the 19th century. They are particularly famous for supplying decorated truncheons. The company were at the address of 233 Holborn from 1794 until 1877, and eventually ceased trading in 1886. These handcuffs therefore probably date to pre 1877. They are of a heavyweight construction with a solid "backstrap' hinge, which is an early feature of handcuffs from the company. Later types were lighter with drilled through hinges. This may indicate that they are earlier rather than later in date, possibly from 1850 or earlier. They are probably the earliest pair of Darby handcuffs in the OPCM collection.
It is thought that Field, may have only been the suppliers of many of the items they sold and that their handcuffs and possibly their truncheons may have actually been made by Hiatt, a Birmingham based manufacturer. Hiatt produced only solid hinge handcuffs before the mid 19th century and after that both solid and lightweight versions
Though there is no provenance with these handcuffs, similar but lightweight "Field & Sons" handcuffs are thought to have been used in Sussex in the 19th century. They came from a retired Sussex officer and may well have originally come from one of the Sussex police forces.