And another one:

These irons I got from France, in a set of four (two with chains attached). They are 80mm (3.15 in.) across, which really makes them too large for handcuffs, and too small for leg shackles. The locking mechanism is a hex (?) key, once the screws are loosened, they can be taken out by hand. The screws definetely look industrial.

So, my guess is probably handcuffs, possibly lined with leather, from around 1890-1920. Or I fell for some farm tools.

Any comments?
Cheers

Nils
















(Matthew, you likes?)

They look modern to me. The locking bolt, as you ppinted out, is a modern hex head capscrew. This is a standard piece of modern industrial hardware. How well do the screw threads match the female threads in the shackle body? Theree have been many metric screw patterns over the years. If the screw fits perfectly, then that would indicate the screw is contemporaneous with the shackle. If it fits badly, it may be a leter acretion. A casting of the female screw threads might allow a clever machinist or gunsmith (they're usually good with odd-ball screw threads) to date it.

The chain is modern electro-resistance welded machine chain.

The hinge shows evidence of having been electrically welded, and the fillet ground to shape.

My bet is late 19C to present.

These weren't designed as restraints but were originally designed for down spouts. I say this because of the diameter and the 2 holes in the side of the body where it held rivets which held the spike that one would drive into the wood or brick. This has been altered as I can see where the locking area is welded on and not original.