This is the original Quik-Kuf. It was initially trialled by the British MET Police in London in late 1992 for 3 months, to see if having a rigid handcuff would provide an advantage for officers in terms of restricting arm movement as well as offering more control over suspects.
This pair of cuffs consisted of a pair of HIATTS 2003 chain-link handcuffs, which are the 17% larger wrist size model (same size used today on modern British rigid cuffs) and special hand grips, designed by Quik-Kuf were then bolted on over the top, encasing the chain-link handcuffs in hard polymer or FRN type material. This made a pseudo-rigid handcuff. It is not a true rigid, because if someone could use leverage or extreme strength they "might" be able to snap the casing and gain more movement. Maybe... But they are very strong and a decent rigid handcuff.
So as you would expect, using a pair of standard HIATTS chain handcuffs, they have all the usual features, 3 pawls, back-loading, double locking.
After the trial, it was determined that this rigid style was excellent at helping control dangerous individuals as well as performing the typical functionality of securing arms. Later in 1994 a specific rigid handcuff was made from the ground up and manufactured by HIATT in partnership with Quik-Kuf which had a rigid steel bar connecting the bracelets and then a similar set of grips (though different style) bolted over the top to make handling of the handcuffs ergonomic and easy.
So this is pair is a nice (and as-is complete) pair of handcuffs to add to my British Police history of handcuff usage box, because it represents a turning point, going to rigid as standard instead of chain-link.
I hope you enjoy the video 😀
