Curator's Corner: Handcuffs

August 2024 Edition

Introducing our new monthly feature 'Curator’s Corner'. Here we will choose a different item on display each month, either from our gallery or unseen by the public in the museum’s collection. We will explain its unique and exciting history and along with its importance within policing history, all researched and submitted for you by our Curatorial Team Volunteers.

For the first edition of the Curator’s Corner, we have decided to focus on handcuffs and their evolution. The Bradford Police Museum holds an extensive collection of handcuffs from the Victorian era to the modern-day. 

The literal definition of handcuffs is a restraint device designed to secure an individual’s wrists. Handcuffs are not a modern concept, but they have had quite the development. The first recorded mention of wrist restraints appeared in 70 BC, in Greek mythology: in poetry by Virgil. The earliest examples of metal handcuffs come from the Bronze and Iron ages [1]. During the Victorian era, handcuffs became a standard item for the police to carry. Up until the 1850s, there were generally two kinds of handcuffs used in England: the ‘Figure Eight’ and the ‘Flexible’ [2]. In the Bradford Police Museum gallery, we have three examples of handcuffs, including the ‘Flexible’, the ‘Snap’ and a modern pair, chronicling the evolution of handcuffs from the Victorian era to today. 

Elizabeth Clay, "Handcuffs," Police Journal 68, no. 2 (April 1995), p. 180. 

The ‘Figure Eight’ was an earlier model and kept hands fixed in place but they caused severe pain to the person wearing them. Another model introduced slightly later was the ‘Flexible’. They were less painful for wearers, but more awkward for police. These handcuffs could not be adjusted to fit differing wrist sizes so officers had to carry several pairs around with them. Experienced prisoners were even able to break out of these handcuffs easily [3]. 

In the late 1800s, newer, American versions of handcuffs were introduced in England. ‘The Snap’ became quite popular, getting its’ name from the way it snapped over a person’s wrists. One of the better handcuffs of this period was called ‘The American Handcuff’ which improved on the old English ‘Flexible’ but they were lighter and size adjustable [4]. In England today, police officers use the ‘Hiatts Speedcuff,’ introduced in the mid 1990s [5].

Join us at the museum to learn more about the handcuffs held in our collection and to see them on display in our main gallery! 

[1] ‘Tower’s Handcuffs: Science Museum Group Collection.’ Tower’s Handcuffs; Science Museum Group, collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co156123/towers-handcuffs-handcuffs. Accessed 25 Aug 2024

[2] Elizabeth Clay, “Handcuffs,” Police Journal 68, no. 2 (April 1995), p. 178 – 180

[3] Elizabeth Clay, “Handcuffs,” Police Journal 68, no. 2 (April 1995), p. 178 - 180

[4] Elizabeth Clay, “Handcuffs,” Police Journal 68, no. 2 (April 1995), p. 178 – 180

[5] ‘Handcuffs.’ Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/topic/handcuffs. Accessed 25 Aug 2024