Antique RIC Handcuffs 1900 1922. Garda Siochana Whistle & Chain c.1922 1950s. Kerry

Rare irish policing memorabilia – probable ric handcuffs & early garda sÍochána whistle and chain

A genuinely interesting pair of irish police artefacts, consisting of:

• a pair of royal irish constabulary (ric) figure-of-eight handcuffs
• an early garda síochána police whistle with original chain.

The handcuffs are the classic figure-of-eight/“irish 8” style, associated with irish police use. Examples of this type made by hiatt are documented as ric issue, including examples in irish museum collections. One documented clare museum example is specifically identified as hiatt “irish 8s” handcuffs, royal irish constabulary issue, and is associated with the period of the irish war of independence.

The whistle is a metropolitan-style police whistle with chain, the type manufactured by j. Hudson & co. Of birmingham and used by irish police forces. Early garda síochána whistles of this type are documented by irish auctioneers, including examples stamped “garda síochána” and fitted with brass chains. A 1920s garda uniform and whistle sold at whyte's, while another early garda whistle and chain formed part of a garda collection that realised €270.

What makes this particular combination special is the story behind the two pieces.

The handcuffs are believed to represent the old ric, the police force that operated throughout ireland under british administration and which was heavily involved in the turbulent period of the irish war of independence, 1919–1921. The ric was eventually disbanded in 1922.

At almost exactly the same moment, the possibility that an older ric pair of handcuffs remained in police possession and ultimately found its way into a garda station is particularly interesting given the continuity a completely new irish police force was being created. The civic guard was established in 1922 and became an garda síochána in 1923.


So these two objects effectively tell the story of the changeover from ric policing to the policing of the new irish state.

The early garda period was itself an extraordinary chapter of irish history. Eoin o'duffy, a former ira officer during the war of independence, became commissioner of the civic guard in september 1922 and subsequently became the first commissioner of an garda síochána.


The items were found in a garda barracks in west kerry, adding an intriguing local provenance. The possibility that an older ric pair of handcuffs remained in police possession and ultimately found its way into a garda station is particularly interesting given the continuity between the old police organisation and the new force.