Handcuffs
Collection object
1988.0087
Max L. 23.4 x max W. 7.6, Wt. 315.93g
Handcuffs, pair of, D-shaped with screw locking mechanism (locked, key missing). Each cuff consists of a D-shaped loop of metal, oval in section in the middle, with a flattened end (which has a central perforation) bent up away from the curve of the loop. This flattened portion forms a locking lug. This flattened portion engages in a slot below the top of a hollow elongated conical barrel, on the inner side. This barrel forms the other end of the D shaped loop. The loop first expands into a wedge shape, then the inner corner of the wedge merges into the inner side of the barrel. The 'point' of the wedge is to the outside of the cuffs. The barrel is open at the outer side, at the end nearest the 'wedge', and at the other end of the barrel from the locking lug. Inside the barrel of each cuff is a threaded rod, screwed into the barrel via the open end, and the end of which engages into the locking lug, thus locking the cuff securely. The key neccessary for this locking action is absent. The broad end of the barrel is expanded slightly, above the slot for the locking lug. In the centre of each cuff loop, on the outside, is fixed a solid ring, in which another, lighter, link ring is fixed and and is able to turn. These link rings (one each side) in turn fit into and can turn within a loop on each end of a large, central, link, which has a solid central portion. The central link is a rather globular shape, expanding from a small but thick ring through the solid centre to a larger but lighter loop at the other end. The solid portion is first round sectioned, then oval at its broader end. The loops on the central link are set at 90 degrees to each other, thus when all the links are in proper alignment to each other, the cuffs are at 90 degrees to each other also. Hanging in shed since discovery - one barrel has a hole rusted in side, side of threaded screw/rod visible.
donor (collected by)