British HIATT Darby Leg Irons ~ 1975 Made from good quality alloy

These are HIATT Darby Leg Irons From 1974-1975 timeframe.

The chain and swivel are steel, but the body of the leg shackles are made from an alloy. Commonly referred to as "pot metal" although HIATT being a well known company of quality products, they used a particularly good alloy, perhaps Zamak 5 for strength. The construction is more bulky than the traditional all-steel versions and this is to accommodate for the alloy's properties to maintain the required levels of strength and security. Steel ones did not need to be bulked up.

They have the standard Darby locking mechanism, consisting of an internal sprung bolt which the key interacts with and on it's other end is the pawl that locks into the hole in the shackle to keep them securely closed. As you turn the key to undo them, eventually the collar on the key hits the resistance of the body of the shackle and from that point, the subsequent turns pull the bold outwards, freeing the shackle to open.

Because of the shape of the shackles, they are able to spin around quite well on the ankle, which aids in being able to walk in them better. They are actually quite comfortable.

These were made around 1974 to 1975. According to a reliable source in 1975 HIATT were just coming out with these Alloy models at that time. Being made of a quality "pot metal" alloy, they were cheaper and easier to manufacture. The rectangular and chunkier construction was almost certainly to counteract the shortcomings of the alloy to ensure they would meet security needs for real-world restraints while still reducing production costs and time.

Initially they were branded with the HIATT branding, but with rising tensions in the world about the use of leg irons and connections to slavery and degrading treatment of people, they stopped branding them.

Not too long afterwards of a year or two they stopped production. But the very latest ones they came out with prior to stopping seemed to have EVEN cheaper construction with rivets for the hinge pins and more sloppy tolerances as those were intended for markets other than genuine real security needs.

Given the history, the fact that mine are branded AND they have a number stamped on them and the key, coupled with the fact that the hinge pin is the classic steel type that is flush and the fact that the tolerances are nice and tight, these that I have are no doubt for actual real-world use, part of their initial line of Alloy leg irons.

Enjoy!

Smith & Wesson M100P-1 Long Chain Police Handcuffs ~ (Tested behind back also)

These are the Smith & Wesson M100P-1 handcuffs which have a longer chain for use on longer individuals.

Instead of the window design, they use the older push-pin style of double lock. I feel this is more secure because of the many and various attacks on the mechanism that are possible via the window style.

They have a single pawl mechanism like all their other cuffs, but given that suspects/criminals should be searched and not left unattended, it's not normally a major problem that a cuff doesn't have more fancy security measures.

The added chain length is useful for use on larger individuals that might otherwise require 2 pairs of handcuffs to be linked to extend the length. I tested them behind my back and they are more comfortable! However, this length also lends themselves to being used for carrying important and expensive goods in cases, to ensure that merely snatching a bag or case from someone would not liberate it from the owner. But in this situation it would be of basic grab & run protection, since anyone with a standard key could take the handcuffs off the bag or case if they had the time or threat of violence etc.

Of course some people use these in the bedroom, since they are longer, they adapt well for use on bed headboards and posts etc, as seen in the Stephen King movie "Geralds's Game". The ones used in the movie were the version that used smaller chain links (so there were more chain links) but the same 6 inch length. It probably should go without saying, but if you use handcuffs in the bedroom, always use them safely and verify the cuffs work and that you have more than 1 key around!

As you would expect from S&W these are great quality handcuffs and feel very smooth to the hand. Very shiny too. Not mirror shiny but they reflect light in a nice way (especially when you wax polish them as I do most my handcuff collection)

Enjoy!

TCH 820 SL Long Chain Handcuffs (7 chain links) for larger people. Includes behind back footage

These are the TCH 820 SL long chain handcuffs. They are the superior (larger size, the same as their 840 speedcuffs) size of the model 800 with 7 chain links instead of 2. This elongated chain makes them very suited for securing people's arms behind their back if they are either very large or have some injury which makes it extremely painful or dangerous for them to get their arms that close behind their back.

The chain on these handcuffs is not the typical type I normally see on TCH. They have more of that metallic-plastic feel which jingles less than usual. The chains are magnetic and real metal and secure but they just feel different and nice.

These have the usual 3 pawl bars for added security and have backloading which makes speed cuffing in a tense situation a bit easier.

The bow alignment is not 100% perfect, but due to how TCH design the ends of the bow, they taper to be thinner at the end which means they are able to seat themselves into the channel in the body of the cuff and affirmatively click closed when you press them onto the wrist. Very nice.

I like these a lot. You never really see these in the wild. I have only ever seen them sold by Nordhandle in Germany. But since I know of these handcuffs existence I ordered them directly from TCH them selves. Along with 3 other items they make which will feature in 1 or more future videos! Not handcuffs themselves but related to handcuffs. Stay tuned!

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Comparing various handcuffs for securely carrying a case / briefcase, inc the new Alfa Proj 9923!

Well, almost all these handcuffs have pros and cons, except the rigid ones which would have nothing but cons. Things you have to think about...

How long is the chain, will it be visible to everyone?

How loud does the chain jingle and will I announce my presence like Jacob Marley walking down a street?

How secure is the handcuff, can normal keys open it?

Over all I prefer the Alfa Proj (Ralkem) 9923 because it connects to the case via a chain rather than the handcuff having to close around the handle, the chain is not too long, the chain is relatively quiet and the handcuff uses a totally non-standard key, meaning a criminal with a handcuff key who's anticipating to quickly bash, grab & run by using their "normal" cuff key will be thwarted.

The one part which does make more sound is the rectangular connection link. But you could attach this cuff to your case and then put some cello-tape, masking tape, duct tape, scapa tape or whatever else around it just to stop it jangling, since the rest of the chain is quite low noise really.

I am over the moon to have this 9923 back in my collection! An excellent handcuff.

Enjoy!

Intro to LATEST Czech Republic Alfa Proj (Ralkem) 9923 compared to Russian BRS 2, difference/quality

These are the Alfa Proj 9923 single handcuff which is used to attach to cases for secure transport as well as can be attached to a fixed object to ensure someone does not leave an area.

I had one of these years ago and eventually sold it, back when I did not have as good storage options to keep buying more and more handcuffs. These are more of a satin/matt finish whereas the old version was SUPER shiny. Also they have changed the branding design of these and I like it better. I will link a video in the top right to the original video of the old version of this cuff.

These Alfa Proj handcuffs are EXTREMELY SMOOTH. My god, I cannot describe to you how smooth they ratchet! Just lovely.

Also, I have not been able to pick this newer version by individually picking at the 2 pawls, so either I got lucky and got a bit more secure/tighter tolerance version or they generally improved the build quality even further.

They even went so far as to put the same satin/matt type of finish on the chain links too, which is a nice touch. The chain is the type which does not massively jangle, because who wants to sound like Jacob Marley when wandering down the street with a case full of important stuff lol.

Really nice handcuff. Hopefully this particular video serves as both an overview of this new model for you, as well as the comparison to the Russian one.

Enjoy

Chicago X55 Handcuffs With 12 Inch Long Chain {NIJ} View Behind Back Also

These are American handcuffs which are NIJ rated. They are Chicago model  X55 with a 12 inch chain. Full distance between the bracelets is about 14 inches. When sourced directly from the US, you can choose the length of the chain you desire or go for the regular X55 handcuffs.

Chicago Handcuffs are very very good quality. They are constructed in Taiwan but with exceptionally good quality and tolerances. They are more secure than even regular Smith & Wesson or Peerless handcuffs.

Chicago handcuffs have a twin pawl bars, meaning someone has to pick both pawls/levers to free the teeth, where most American handcuffs have a single large pawl which makes picking easy. Not only this, the double locking bar is in 2 parts similar to the pawls, so to pick the double lock, it takes more effort and perhaps better tools & techniques.

The reason for the longer chain versions are to accommodate for large people who can't be handcuffed behind back because they can't get their arms behind their back close enough for normal length handcuffs. Also a security guard or police officer etc can grasp the chain and have less contact with the individual, helping to prevent them running away. Also some people use such a handcuff with an elongated chain to connect their wrist to a case, or some reviews have cited they use it at the airport to attach their case to the chair in case they doze off so nobody can grab their case and run.

I REALLY love Chicago brand handcuffs. They are always smooth in tactile feel, amazing in construction and aesthetic design, very very good in quality control as you would expect from any other American company, and I just over all like them. My favourite are the model X22 because of their high security nature requiring a special key. One day I would like to buy another pair of X22 specifically for use in emergencies at home, should the need ever arise. But this will be low priority because I wouldn't be able to get another video out of buying the exact same handcuff model.

I can imagine some kinky couples would like the added length for use in the bedroom, as well as being professionally useful for the niche use with very large individuals.

I am very happy to have a pair of X55 in my collection, as to my knowledge only the X55 and perhaps one other model are officially NIJ rated.

Enjoy

#handcuffs #Chicago

Yuil CY-2-18 18 Inch Chain Handcuffs

These Yuil CY-2-18  handcuffs have an 18 inch chain attached to them. It is an odd thing, but the fact the chain is so long both is good so an arresting officer or security guard etc can grab the chain and control a suspect. For example preventing them from running away.

The long chain is also more comfortable for larger people, but the downside is it does not restrict movement all that much. It is easy to get your hands from behind your back to over to your front and in theory you could strangle someone with the chain, similar to what happened near the end of the movie Salt. So anyone secured with these handcuffs with a long chain, should never be left alone or assume they are secured.

One good thing is, someone handcuffed with these would not be able to change their upper body clothing to disguise them self and escape.

Even though these are legitimate police handcuffs, because of the long chain length ( there is one which is 24 inches long too.... ) these would be good candidates for people who like to use handcuffs in the bedroom with their significant other, either one pair per arm attached to the corners of the bed's headboard or one pair linked through somewhere on the headboard etc. They'd also be good for handcuff challenges where people are handcuffed together for a certain number of hours, so they are connected but not stuck as close as they would be with normal chain link handcuffs.

All in all, these are an interesting addition to my collection, but they would surely be more of a niche pair for people unless you are just collecting and lock picking as I do.

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Alfa-Proj 9923 (Ralkem) Handcuff [NIJ]

This Alfa-Proj 9923 is a single handcuff attached to a long chain that is designed to be attached to a case of some kind or...

Can be attached to an immovable object like benches or the fixed bar on some tables in interview/interrogation rooms used in US law enforcement to ensure the person does not escape.

They are extremely extremely smooth and hardly any effort is required to ratchet the arm, which makes double locking these cuffs during use even more important to prevent accidental tightening, which tightening these cuffs too far is a very very very bad idea as I am about to explain.

When you turn the key to unlock these cuffs, the handcuff tightens by 1 click in order to release the handcuff. So if you tighten them on the wrist too much, there is no room left for them to get any tighter which means they could be stuck on the persons wrist and with the force needed to try and unlock them, end up snapping the key inside the lock. So always ensure there is a little bit of movement possible to enable them to be removed.

The locking mechanism has a ward requiring their own special key with a double bitted end. You only get 2 keys and if you plan on using them I would recommend you try to source extra keys (cuffsland has some).

They have shim protection as well. There is a dip to catch shims as well as tight tolerances. I have been unable to shim with any shim I have, including a super thin shim. So I would call these somewhat high security. Although once you know what the key looks like you can bend a paperclip and eventually get them open.

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