Heavy Leg Shackles

I am hoping to get some opinions on some leg shackles I have found.

They are a particularly heavy set, weighing exactly 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

The only similar shackles I've ever seen have been made recently, using modern welded chain and fence fittings to form the shackles, but I believe these ones to be authentic.

These shackles appear to have seen a lot of use. The padlock end of the shackles are very well rounded, consistent with holding the chain in the centre and being dropped on their ends.
One even has a hairline crack between the end and the padlock hole.
The chain also shows evidence of some rough treatment, with not only pitting, but also marks that appear to have been caused by striking it with a hoe or other tool, especially around the centre.

The iron is very good quality, and although there is some rust, I believe the majority of the pitting has been caused by mistreatment.

No welding is visible anywhere on the chain, and is barely noticeable and well worn on the circular links.

Has anyone seen similar shackles, or know where or when shackles like these may have been used ?

Although they were purchased in Australia, I've never seen any evidence of leg shackles like these being used here.

Justin.







These Russell & Erwin padlocks did not come with the shackles.


Standard Hiatt leg irons for size comparison.

It's kind of hard to tell but the chain looks welded to me
And the patina looks as if they were found underground or near water
It may be a possibility that they were made to look older than they are
But Steve Santini has probably a better idea of what these are I'm pretty sure he's
Owned many slave shackles

I am hoping to get some opinions on some leg shackles I have found.

They are a particularly heavy set, weighing exactly 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

The only similar shackles I've ever seen have been made recently, using modern welded chain and fence fittings to form the shackles, but I believe these ones to be authentic.

These shackles appear to have seen a lot of use. The padlock end of the shackles are very well rounded, consistent with holding the chain in the centre and being dropped on their ends.
One even has a hairline crack between the end and the padlock hole.
The chain also shows evidence of some rough treatment, with not only pitting, but also marks that appear to have been caused by striking it with a hoe or other tool, especially around the centre.

The iron is very good quality, and although there is some rust, I believe the majority of the pitting has been caused by mistreatment.

No welding is visible anywhere on the chain, and is barely noticeable and well worn on the circular links.

Has anyone seen similar shackles, or know where or when shackles like these may have been used ?

Although they were purchased in Australia, I've never seen any evidence of leg shackles like these being used here.

Justin.







These Russell & Erwin padlocks did not come with the shackles.


Standard Hiatt leg irons for size comparison.

Click to expand...

Nice padlocks w screw key.

The shackles? (not so much).

I am hoping to get some opinions on some leg shackles I have found.

They are a particularly heavy set, weighing exactly 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

The only similar shackles I've ever seen have been made recently, using modern welded chain and fence fittings to form the shackles, but I believe these ones to be authentic.

These shackles appear to have seen a lot of use. The padlock end of the shackles are very well rounded, consistent with holding the chain in the centre and being dropped on their ends.
One even has a hairline crack between the end and the padlock hole.
The chain also shows evidence of some rough treatment, with not only pitting, but also marks that appear to have been caused by striking it with a hoe or other tool, especially around the centre.

The iron is very good quality, and although there is some rust, I believe the majority of the pitting has been caused by mistreatment.

No welding is visible anywhere on the chain, and is barely noticeable and well worn on the circular links.

Has anyone seen similar shackles, or know where or when shackles like these may have been used ?

Although they were purchased in Australia, I've never seen any evidence of leg shackles like these being used here.

Justin.







These Russell & Erwin padlocks did not come with the shackles.


Standard Hiatt leg irons for size comparison.

Click to expand...

Hi Mike, I can't see any welding on the chain, but here's a closer view.
You can just see evidence of welding on the lower part of the connecting ring in this photo.

The rings are 16mm thick, I can imagine quite difficult to bend into place, so someone went to a bit of trouble to make these.

They may turn out to be just junk, but for a measly $40 investment, I'm still happy with them.

Justin

I am hoping to get some opinions on some leg shackles I have found.

They are a particularly heavy set, weighing exactly 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

The only similar shackles I've ever seen have been made recently, using modern welded chain and fence fittings to form the shackles, but I believe these ones to be authentic.

These shackles appear to have seen a lot of use. The padlock end of the shackles are very well rounded, consistent with holding the chain in the centre and being dropped on their ends.
One even has a hairline crack between the end and the padlock hole.
The chain also shows evidence of some rough treatment, with not only pitting, but also marks that appear to have been caused by striking it with a hoe or other tool, especially around the centre.

The iron is very good quality, and although there is some rust, I believe the majority of the pitting has been caused by mistreatment.

No welding is visible anywhere on the chain, and is barely noticeable and well worn on the circular links.

Has anyone seen similar shackles, or know where or when shackles like these may have been used ?

Although they were purchased in Australia, I've never seen any evidence of leg shackles like these being used here.

Justin.







These Russell & Erwin padlocks did not come with the shackles.


Standard Hiatt leg irons for size comparison.

Click to expand...

$40 with or without the padlocks and key?

I am hoping to get some opinions on some leg shackles I have found.

They are a particularly heavy set, weighing exactly 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

The only similar shackles I've ever seen have been made recently, using modern welded chain and fence fittings to form the shackles, but I believe these ones to be authentic.

These shackles appear to have seen a lot of use. The padlock end of the shackles are very well rounded, consistent with holding the chain in the centre and being dropped on their ends.
One even has a hairline crack between the end and the padlock hole.
The chain also shows evidence of some rough treatment, with not only pitting, but also marks that appear to have been caused by striking it with a hoe or other tool, especially around the centre.

The iron is very good quality, and although there is some rust, I believe the majority of the pitting has been caused by mistreatment.

No welding is visible anywhere on the chain, and is barely noticeable and well worn on the circular links.

Has anyone seen similar shackles, or know where or when shackles like these may have been used ?

Although they were purchased in Australia, I've never seen any evidence of leg shackles like these being used here.

Justin.







These Russell & Erwin padlocks did not come with the shackles.


Standard Hiatt leg irons for size comparison.

Click to expand...

Your rite u can't go wrong with a 40$ buy I would have paid that
They make a cool addition to a collection

I am hoping to get some opinions on some leg shackles I have found.

They are a particularly heavy set, weighing exactly 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

The only similar shackles I've ever seen have been made recently, using modern welded chain and fence fittings to form the shackles, but I believe these ones to be authentic.

These shackles appear to have seen a lot of use. The padlock end of the shackles are very well rounded, consistent with holding the chain in the centre and being dropped on their ends.
One even has a hairline crack between the end and the padlock hole.
The chain also shows evidence of some rough treatment, with not only pitting, but also marks that appear to have been caused by striking it with a hoe or other tool, especially around the centre.

The iron is very good quality, and although there is some rust, I believe the majority of the pitting has been caused by mistreatment.

No welding is visible anywhere on the chain, and is barely noticeable and well worn on the circular links.

Has anyone seen similar shackles, or know where or when shackles like these may have been used ?

Although they were purchased in Australia, I've never seen any evidence of leg shackles like these being used here.

Justin.







These Russell & Erwin padlocks did not come with the shackles.


Standard Hiatt leg irons for size comparison.

Click to expand...

$40 dollars with or without the padlocks and key?

I am hoping to get some opinions on some leg shackles I have found.

They are a particularly heavy set, weighing exactly 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

The only similar shackles I've ever seen have been made recently, using modern welded chain and fence fittings to form the shackles, but I believe these ones to be authentic.

These shackles appear to have seen a lot of use. The padlock end of the shackles are very well rounded, consistent with holding the chain in the centre and being dropped on their ends.
One even has a hairline crack between the end and the padlock hole.
The chain also shows evidence of some rough treatment, with not only pitting, but also marks that appear to have been caused by striking it with a hoe or other tool, especially around the centre.

The iron is very good quality, and although there is some rust, I believe the majority of the pitting has been caused by mistreatment.

No welding is visible anywhere on the chain, and is barely noticeable and well worn on the circular links.

Has anyone seen similar shackles, or know where or when shackles like these may have been used ?

Although they were purchased in Australia, I've never seen any evidence of leg shackles like these being used here.

Justin.







These Russell & Erwin padlocks did not come with the shackles.


Standard Hiatt leg irons for size comparison.

Click to expand...

Maxwell, no the padlocks did not come with the shackles.

I am hoping to get some opinions on some leg shackles I have found.

They are a particularly heavy set, weighing exactly 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

The only similar shackles I've ever seen have been made recently, using modern welded chain and fence fittings to form the shackles, but I believe these ones to be authentic.

These shackles appear to have seen a lot of use. The padlock end of the shackles are very well rounded, consistent with holding the chain in the centre and being dropped on their ends.
One even has a hairline crack between the end and the padlock hole.
The chain also shows evidence of some rough treatment, with not only pitting, but also marks that appear to have been caused by striking it with a hoe or other tool, especially around the centre.

The iron is very good quality, and although there is some rust, I believe the majority of the pitting has been caused by mistreatment.

No welding is visible anywhere on the chain, and is barely noticeable and well worn on the circular links.

Has anyone seen similar shackles, or know where or when shackles like these may have been used ?

Although they were purchased in Australia, I've never seen any evidence of leg shackles like these being used here.

Justin.







These Russell & Erwin padlocks did not come with the shackles.


Standard Hiatt leg irons for size comparison.

Click to expand...

Thanks Justin for the response, Maybe the leg shackles are a war souvenir brought back by a soldier.

(if only they could talk)

I am hoping to get some opinions on some leg shackles I have found.

They are a particularly heavy set, weighing exactly 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

The only similar shackles I've ever seen have been made recently, using modern welded chain and fence fittings to form the shackles, but I believe these ones to be authentic.

These shackles appear to have seen a lot of use. The padlock end of the shackles are very well rounded, consistent with holding the chain in the centre and being dropped on their ends.
One even has a hairline crack between the end and the padlock hole.
The chain also shows evidence of some rough treatment, with not only pitting, but also marks that appear to have been caused by striking it with a hoe or other tool, especially around the centre.

The iron is very good quality, and although there is some rust, I believe the majority of the pitting has been caused by mistreatment.

No welding is visible anywhere on the chain, and is barely noticeable and well worn on the circular links.

Has anyone seen similar shackles, or know where or when shackles like these may have been used ?

Although they were purchased in Australia, I've never seen any evidence of leg shackles like these being used here.

Justin.







These Russell & Erwin padlocks did not come with the shackles.


Standard Hiatt leg irons for size comparison.

Click to expand...

Thanks Justin for your response.