Posted by Richard Jones on April 14, 2001 at 03:27:15:
I've recently been puzzled by Hiatts 1960 cuffs - by those both in my own collection and the pictures on e-bay.
I have two 1960s myself. The first one I got has a completely smooth lock case much like the 1970 and the rivets are machined flush. The chunky swivel is moderately small and tightly formed.
In the more recent pair I got the swivel is somewhat bigger and the center of it is wobbly. The riets come through the lock case and the shape of the cheekplate at the bow hinge is somewhat different. Also it has more locking positions.
The last fact made me check back to e-bay where I remembered someone selling lightweight 1960s and heavyweight 1960s - the difference being that the heavyweight had more locking positions.
Now if this is true, why? It looks like the smooth one is later because machining is closer to the 1970 and the swivel is more neatly made. But why would the make a second version with less locking positions - trend is always towards as much ajustability as possible.
Also the stamping is different on both cuffs. They both have a Hiatts 1960 stamp on them but on the earlier one it is upsidedown to the later one. The later one has a patent pending stamp while the former one doesn't. Surely they wouldn' manufacture a cuff before patenting it as late as the 60s?
Looking back to ebay I see that the 'lightweight' cuff on display has its 'HIATTS 1960' stamp the other way around too. My one is odd!
If anyone can help shed some light I'd be very greatful!
Thanks a lot,
Richard Jones
ps there is a picture of the lightweight cuff on ebay attached!