On View
Changing Exhibition Gallery
Exhibition
In Slavery's Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World
Manufactured by
Hiatt & Co. Ltd., British, founded 1780
Date
2000s
Medium
nickel and plastic
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3 × 10 × 1 in. (7.6 × 25.4 × 2.5 cm)
Caption
Produced by one of the oldest, most prolific producers of iron restraints, Hiatt and Company, these contemporary cuffs materialize a deep connection between racial slavery, the carceral state, and militarization. Established in Birmingham England, in 1780, Hiatt and Company supplied slave traders across the Atlantic with handcuffs, collars, and chains well into the 19th century—long after the abolition of slavery in Britain and the United States. Two centuries after its founding, Hiatt became the first British company to introduce the rigid cuff design seen here and now used worldwide by police and militaries.
Description
Rigid speed handcuffs, "Model 2103 Speedcuff," manufactured by Hiatt & Co. Ltd. The cuffs have a rigid, black plastic center bar and two nickel cuffs for the left and right hands with an 18-tooth swing-through design. "Hiatt" is engraved on the topside of each cuff. Opposite the brand name on one cuff is the model number "2103" and the other cuff has "228928."
Associated with the cuffs are two small, nickel keys: NMAAHC 2024.23.1.2 and NMAAHC 2024.23.1.3.
Place made
Birmingham, England, Europe
Classification
Weapons and Ammunition
Type
keys (hardware)
handcuffs
Topic
Law
Prisons
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2024.23.1.1
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd56b9d3a68-bda0-40ea-8271-e0317aac60d5

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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