I'd like to open Marks question about M&C markings in a new thread because I think it may get lost otherwise and I think it needs exploring.
I was told by a collector of militaria that it stood for Military & Civilian.
And to quote our friend Joe "The alternate Ministry and Crown refers to the "Ministry of Supply" which would have served the British arm forces and the Crown Agents that would have done the same for the colonial forces. The interesting thing about the mark is that it was used from the mid 18th century through WWI, but I have never seen a reference to it on items other than an handcuff. So who knows? I own and have seen one other cuff marked Board of Ordinance, B.O., but the B.O. was abolished in the 1850s. I think M&C is the successor to the B.O."
I have two Hiatt M&C backstrap darbies dated 1860 and 1915, both have the military "broad arrow" or "crows foot" mark. My question is, does anyone have M&C cuffs without the "broad arrow". All military cuffs should have this mark. My guess is that if there are M&C cuffs without the broad arrow, that they are civilian. But I'm new to this caper, so I'd love to be proven wrong.
Paul
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