The history of how the UK got into rigid handcuffs! This is a little look at the Quik-Kuf conversion kit which converted a superior size standard Hiatt chain handcuff (2020 model I think? Basically the larger version of Hiatt 2010) into being a pseudo-rigid handcuff. (To see a legitimate pre-assembled proper handcuff of this model instead of my make-shift DIY job, check this video: • 🚨🪨🇬🇧 Quik-Kuf Pre-asse... )
I am not sure if these were only used during the initial trials of this design to see if UK police found them better prior to designing an actual rigid handcuff from the ground up, or if these were also used wide-spread after they confirmed they liked rigid handcuffs. But these are quite effective.
My set of these grips did not come with bolts. I determined M4 bolts fit, but the nuts are too small and spin around, making the whole thing useless. However I came up with a method of using a flat-head screw driver to sit in the gap to allow the nut to stay stationary while I screw the bolt in. So I can now show this to you working!
I do not have an original Hiatt superior size handcuff to use, but I was able to use a modern TCH 822 which is the right size and shape, just with an extra set of keyholes which are not used in this context.
These conversion kits do not fit all handcuffs, it only fits certain ones from the HIATT and TCH lines. I have 2 pairs of Hiatt 2010 and they do not fit, while my 3010 lightweight ones do fit (quite odd feeling such a light rigid handcuff lol)
All in all, this is another step along the journey of me having a set of cuffs which shows a nice lineage of how British handcuffs changed between the early 1900's and modern day.
After this conversion kit was a hit, they designed a rigid handcuff (speedcuffs) which had a thinner solid bar that connected both of the bracelets. Not as wide or thick as a TCH or HIATT modern rigid handcuff, but enough to make it legitimately rigid. They they used a thinner, lighter version of this type of conversion kit to use as a grip. They did not use the original conversion kits only, because the newly made rigid handcuffs did not need such heavy support to keep them rigid, since they were already rigid. So lighter, more fragile grips were made, to reduce the weight and bulk.
So now you see the basic DIY technique to make use of the grips you can buy on eBay without the bolts. However you can go one step further by tightening the bolts as shown and then packing JB Weld Steel Stick epoxy putty into the gaps so that after 1 hour, you will be able to screw and unscrew them without needing to wedge screwdrivers in there because the nuts will then have a snug fit. If you want to see the final result, here's a time-coded link to a newer video which will show you briefly how it looks once it's steel-stiked: • 🚨🪨🇬🇧 Quik-Kuf Pre-asse...
Enjoy!
#handcuffs
17 июн 2022
