The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

Unknown Ball and Chain

12 visible archived posts · 12 preserved total · topic ID 6490

djhalfdead 21 Dec 2017

I was able to grab this yesterday from an online auction. I havent received it yet, of course. I am eagerly awaiting its arrival. I wanted to check with you guys to see if anyone has any idea on country of origin, date and is it even a legit ball and chain? I probably should have asked all of this before I bid, but I liked the way it looked and had to have it! Not sure if the key even works anymore? They never showed a pic of it with the shackle unlocked, just with the key standing in the lock. Now that I look closer at it and have studied the pic a bit, I think it was a bad angle. I believe that this particular cuff is actually broken where the chain is connected to the shackle. I wont know for sure until I see it. Still, a cool looking piece to add to the collection. This and a Tower Ball and Chain are the two I have so far. Any info you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
-Richard Knip-

Spencer 21 Dec 2017

Richard

That piece also piqued my interest when I saw it but that "twisted" link near the ball is typical of Asian or eastern European pieces that I've seen. I don't think that it has a domestic origin.

djhalfdead 22 Dec 2017

I was hoping that too many people didnt have their eye on it. LOL! I did get in a bit of a bidding war though. In fact, I had thrown my last bid, which was as high as I was willing to go, and got outbid by a person at the auction. I was losing as they were calling Fair Warning. I thought I was sure to lose, but the winning bidder retracted their bid at the last second! I have no idea how I got so lucky? Anyway....I am leaning towards a French origin. Possibly somewhere in the 1700s? Maybe earlier. Looking at the picture and a similar that is currently on Ebay, I have concluded that this one is not broken. The connecting loop, on the shackle, for the chain, appears to be intact. Hard to see at the angle of the pic. I am fairly certain that I am in good shape though. My fingers are crossed that they key still works. The sales ad for it, made it sound like it is fully functional.
-Richard Knip-

Nils 09 Jan 2018

I have two similar sets, also 2-3 sets of very heavy leg shackles of that type (around 6 and 8 pounds). It could be they are of Austro-Hungarian origin, one of mine reads something with marks that appear Eastern-European.

They are nicely made, very heavy and certainly legit.

Nils

Anonymous 09 Jan 2018

Very heavy leg shackles of that type (around 6 and 8 pounds)?????

I call 35 ~ 50lbs for a ball and chain "very heavy" ..................

anon x356 09 Jan 2018

I call 1200 LB very heavy

Anonymous 09 Jan 2018

anon x356, you really think that a single person is going to be able to move 1200lbs w/o any mechanical aid? But if you really want "heavy", approx one tablespoon of a neutron star would weigh nearly 30 tons on earth! Now that is HEAVY .......

Nils 10 Jan 2018

I was talking about the shackles, not the ball and chain.

BoB Russell 10 Jan 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl5vi9ir49g

Bob Russell 10 Jan 2018

#10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl5vi9ir49g

djhalfdead 10 Jan 2018

#11

The ball and chain, finally came in today! The whole thing is maybe 15 to 16 lbs. The ball is really small, compared to others I have seen pictured. Must not have been for a very serious offender? The lock does function. A bit sticky, but for as old as it is, what would you expect? This is now the oldest piece in my collection!
-Richard Knip-

Unknown / guest 10 Jan 2018

#12