Help - are these really old slave shackles?

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

Marrowcan cuffs

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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Could very well be circa 1800's ankle irons used on slaves.

They look to be well made and are likely not a cheap knock off or replica.

Remember one thing, ... ankle irons, manacles, and other types of fetters were not worn by slaves while working on plantations.

To wear such things while working would wear on the skin and cause sores which would lead to possible infection and death. All property, especially human property was not cheap and was highly valued. Sick or dead individuals are rather non productive.

However, during transport in a wagon from a slave market to a plantation such restraints would have seen use. Just as they would have been used to restraint captured runaway slaves.

Steve Santini

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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Steve,

Thanks so much for the information! Did you see the other photos? My main concern was that these were NOT consistent with
recent foreign-made cuffs,and that they DID look hand-forged. The other reponder said something about "Marrowcan cuffs" Did he mean Moroccan cuffs? What do you think about that?

Thanks!

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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I think these could very well be American made.

Mind you, there is no way to be 100% certain but I have seen others in nearly this exact form and with an 1800's U.S. attribution.

As the bulk of my own collection specializes in hand forged restraints and old time punishment devices I tend to have some knowledge of this topic.

Cheers, Steve Santini

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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I say. It is a marrowcan. It is for sure

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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I say. It is a marrowcan. It is for sure

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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I don't think they are American made.

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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I concur with Steve. Given the trade going on at the time, even a Maroccan cuff could end up in North America, travelling with the slave ships.

It's definetely authentic / old.

Nils

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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I am sure the cuff traveled to America but weren't made there. An American maker would show off and make two spring barb lock to prove he could do. however these have one lock and one 'puzzle' showing that a bit of clever thinking in the use of skill, material and time.

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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Is it possible that there really are Amarricon?

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

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Thanks so much, everyone! Good to know that they are authentic. Even if not American-made, they certainly could have come over as part of the Trans-Atlantic slave passage...

Saw these for sale. As a a collector of many years I have learned the hard way to never "buy the story". These were "found on a plantation". I do not know anything about handcuffs. Can anyone offer assistance?

Click to expand...

I own a set that looks almost identical.