Posted by Atame on February 07, 2001 at 11:48:04:
In Reply to: Re: Determine the age of a Hiatt Darby by Key and/or swivel? posted by Ian McColl on February 07, 2001 at 09:13:54:
Dear Ian,
first of all thank you for answering.
: K1 modern die cast alloy ( late 1970 to current)
Then I think that it's a spare key, because - as I already wrote - the Type 115 Darbys, which I bought together with the key, are of good old metal, not die cast alloy.
: K2 steel? more likely plated brass ( the leg iron key was) early 1970's
Steel - I tested it with a magnet.
: The linkage on the bow was original fitted into a hole and riveted in place. Cuffs were cast where this linkage was an integral part of the pattern and were cast in steel just as the current alloy cuffs are integral( not familar with an actual would suggest 1950-1970's
Strange! I would have bet that K1 is the oldest of the three shown handcuffs, because the finish of the other cuffs is of brighter silver. K3 has a linkage that is not an integral part of the bow and I got this handcuff with a key of the oldest type. Conclusion: this must be my oldest Type 104, right?
Regards,
Atame