I have a lot of Darby handcuffs, but none quite like the F.M.C. Darby that I just bought. It has a unique locking mechanism that is similar to a Rankin. The normal threaded bolt of the cuff is surrounded by a sleeve that is depressed by the key. It is similar to a Rankin mechanism except the bolt comes out above the sleeve. I have never seen a Darby with such a sleeve.

The cuff is marked F.M.C. with the date 1918 on each cuff. I have no idea what company made the cuff. On the side of the barrel of each cuff one can find a British broad arrow flanked by the initials I M.

Here are some pictures.

Side view


Logo and view of lock mechanism


Similar view from other side


Close up down the barrel


The broad arrow flanked by initials I M

So I have more questions than answers.

Has anyone else seen a Darby cuff with this sort of lock mechanism?

Does anyone know what the intials F.M.C. stand for?
(I don't think it if Ford Motor Company or Food Machinery Company)

Does anyone know what unit or country used the broad arrow with the initials I M?

Any help you could give would be appreciated.
Thanks very much.

Joe

Initials are I M the only person. that i can think of would be Ian Mccoll.

Hi Joe:
Is the sleeve just to keep the locking bolt centered, or is it necessary to push it down to unlock ? If you just start the key and pull on it, will the cuff open ?
Stan

I've never seen another one like it. Nice piece.

Stan

The way it was designed you need to push the key in to depress the sleeve, then you turn the key the normal way. One side of the cuff works just the way it was designed. The lock in the other cuff is a little looser and you don't really need to push much to get the key started.

Joe

The Broad Arrow indicates British military property. I presume the IM are the initials of the accepting inspector.

I may be wrong, but IM could be Isle of Man which is a self governing island off the west coast of Northern England.

The possibility is that the law enforcement organisation of the time maybe used this kind of cuff. It's just a guess though, and great to get such good photos. Thanks Joe.

Joe,

I did a fast search on Google and came up with several hits on a Canadian unit called Force Mobile Command. They go way back including the 1918 time period.

Great looking set of cuffs.

Ron

Hi Joe,
Nice piece!
Just a few questions.
At the latch end, it is exactly like a conventional Darby cuff? I wonder if they snap shut as easily as most Darbies.
I wonder about this because the end of the bow does not have the thicker tip that most Darbies have to cover up and protect the latch opening in the lock tube.
and
If it is different in any way, can we see a picture viewed from the latch opening?

I believe FMC stands for "For Mark's Collection"

mark
O--O

Mark

The latch end is pretty much normal. The cuff snaps shut like most Darbies. As you say the profile of the bow is a little bit different, but the latch itself and the action is standard.

As for F.M.C. I think it is "For My Collection."

cheers
Joe

Seems that all cuffs are "For Marks collection"

There are quite a few F.S.C., F.J.C., F.G.C., F.L.C. etc cuffs around as well.

Dear Mr. Anonymous,

You stated that it seems like all cuffs are for my collection.
I wish that were the case, but fact is I miss out on many of them.
In Joe's photo synopsis of the noteworthy cuffs of the month, I am lucky to be able to identify one or two of the cuffs and claim them as an addition to the collection.
Believe me, I wish I could number 5 or 6 of these gems a month.
I try to give a good shot at them, but only get a fair amount in return. I think that I am bidding high enough, but not always is it the adequate amount.
If I fail to win a nice one, I hope the item goes to another good home of someone I know so that see it one day or possibly buy/trade it in the future.
Thank you for your concern.

mark
O--O

hi JOE,from the main photo the left hand side (in photo) that spot on end cap is that just a patina spot or are the end caps pinned? also noted that the swivel looks like RCS design, great looking pair,congrats

The end caps are indeed pinned. It is a very well made cuff.

Joe

IM? Well Mick, you just could be right in suggesting Isle of Man - the usual abbreviation over here is I.O.M., but at a quick glance the broad arrow between the I and the M could be taken as an "O" - and that's how I read it when I first saw the photo. But sorry, can't come up with anything that might help with the maker's name.

Mike
a.k.a. Mikeintightpants
Birmingham, England

JOE, on the patent for A. DELESTATIUS it's just a hunch but one of the witnesses is a CHARLES E. FOSTER, you might try to check him out fmc could be forter machine co. or foster metal co. ect.!!!

F. M. C. == FROGGATT MACHINE COMPANY
F. M. C. == FROGGATT MILITARY CONTRACT ---- 1918