The origins of Hiatt and Company Ltd.
lie in the late eighteenth century,
1780, as stated in vintage and
contemporary company advertisements.
According to both the Hiatt and the
American Hiatt-Thompson web pages, the
company was begun by a "Mr. Hiat" with
one T. Supposedly he set up shop in
1780 at 26 Masshouse Lane in
Birmingham.
"In the year 1780 when Birmingham,
England was little more than a
village, any passer-by walking down
the well known thoroughfare called
Masshouse Lane, might have stopped out
of curiosity to look at a new sign
which had recently gone up at Number
26.
This intimated that a certain Mr. Hiat
was a maker of Prisoners' Handcuffs,
Felons' Leg Irons and Gang Chains to
the Trade."
This quote as taken from the
Hiatt-Thompson web page. The quote
originally comes from a newspaper
article that appeared in the "Black
County Survey" published in 1958. It
was part of a series of articles
devoted to the "Histories of Famous
Firms." Although the article is
fascinating to read, it gives no
documentation for the company's
earliest history. The article does
make reference to entry for "Hiat"
(with one T) in an 1832 trade
directory.
Unfortunately this entire story seems
to be mostly myth. Collectors have
searched for and speculated about
early Hiatt restraints. Shouldn't the
earliest examples be marked "Hiat"
with one T? As far as I know, no such
cuffs have ever been found.
It seemed that some original research
was needed. I had two types of
evidence to examine, written records
in the form of old trade directories
and advertisements, and actual
examples of old handcuffs. A close
examination of their markings revealed
important clues.
The results of this research led me to
write a book on the subject entitled,
"British Handcuffs, A Collector's
Guide to Vintage Handcuffs." The
"possible history" that is presented
here is based upon information that
appears in this new book. The book
also includes pictures of about a
hundred vintage British handcuffs
taken from my collection.
The following graphic gives a possible
timeline:
1. Thomas
Griffin and Co. founded in late 18th
century on Digbeth Street.
2.About 1815, Thomas Griffin takes on
James Nichols as a partner, forming
Griffin & Nichols
3.In the late 1820s, James Nichols
assumes ownership of the company
forming James Nichols & Co.
4. Early 1860s, T & A Longmore
acquires the James Nichols company,
but the Digbeth Street business closes
after only a few years.
5. About 1818, Thomas Griffin Hiatt
establishes new operation, first on
Moor Street, but soon moves to
Masshouse Lane.
6. In 1840s William John Hiatt assumes
ownership of Hiatt & Co. Ltd.
7. Field & Parker founded in London in
the 18th century. Becomes Hiatt's
London agency, selling Hiatt cuffs
under the Parker name.
8. In 1842 the company name changes to
Parker, Field & Sons.
9. In 1877 company name changes to
Field & Sons and goes out of business
in 1883.
10. In 1830s William Froggatt Co.
forms on Bordesley Street.
In the late 19th century Thomas
Froggatt forms Thomas Froggatt and Co.
11. In 1937 Hiatt & Co. buys out
Thomas Froggatt.
My new book "British Handcuffs - A
Collectors Guide to Vintage
Handcuffs"is at the printer. It should
be ready by later this month or early
July. The book is 8.5 x 11 inches, 112
pages long with 48 pages in color. It
has pictures of about 100 of the
British Handcuffs from my collection
