Could it be slave shackle remnants? Opinions wanted!

[beetle662]

Dug this yesterday, about 10 feet from the outside of the slave house on the property I am hunting. They were about 6 inches deep.

This place is obviously known to have kept slaves during the 1800's. My first thought was that these were indeed slave shackles, but then I thought maybe about some sort of farm implement. However, the more I look at these, the more I think they are shackles. The size of the chainlinks (what's left) appears to be too thin to have been made for any kind of heavy duty farm usage. I realize that theses shackles are not in their entirety, but comparing pics with images online I do see alot of similarities. Also, this place has a blacksmith shop on it, and I believe they may have been forged here by the owner.

I am not doing anything with these until I know for sure. I don't want to deteriorate them any more than they already are.

Open for ideas, suggestions, and comments! Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[briankb70]

sure looks like it WTG !!!!!!
congrats if it is

 

[beetle662]

sure looks like it WTG !!!!!!
congrats if it is

Thanks! Sad but real part of our country's history and a part that should never be forgotten.

 

[allen]

I think they are shackles !!

 

[nova]

I think you found a piece of rare history. Good chance they are shackles. (Slave)

 

[Peeber]

Sorry Beatle662, they are not slave shackles. They were clipped on the back legs of milk cows to keep them from kicking while being milked. Had some just like them when I was a kid on the farm.

 

[fortbball9]

Sorry Beatle662, they are not slave shackles. They were clipped on the back legs of milk cows to keep them from kicking while being milked. Had some just like them when I was a kid on the farm.

That was my first guess,I was researching but I couldn't find a set of old cow shackles.This is
the only pic I could find.
http://www.jcmshackles.co.uk/

fortbball9

 

[fortbball9]

They used them mostly on milk cows,so they wouldn't kick while being milked.

fortbball9

 

[Steve_UK]

So they are cow shackles?

Was the cow a slave?

That's just made me spit my coffee over the keyboard...

However.. if they were cow shackles, why the extra chain linking it to another cuff?

Surely they don't cuff cows front legs too? That would be just plain kinky.

 

[blurr]

So they are cow shackles?

Was the cow a slave?

No but what other animal can give us a hamburger and milkshake?


John

 

[d2]

There was a cuff on both back legs...d2

 

[Steve_UK]

A bit of advice... if you Google 'slave shackles' on the image search, make sure the kids aint around, or you have safe search enabled.... ahem...

 

[Larsmed]

Hey,

I found a pic of slave shackles...atleast this looks like the standard.

Very sad part of our history. sometimes I wish I could punch my ancestors for doing what they did!

 

[fortbball9]

So they are cow shackles?

Was the cow a slave?

That's just made me spit my coffee over the keyboard...

However.. if they were cow shackles, why the extra chain linking it to another cuff?

Surely they don't cuff cows front legs too? That would be just plain kinky.

I think that is was fastened to a post so they wouldn't move around

fortbball9

 

[Iron Patch]

So they are cow shackles?

Was the cow a slave?

Are cow tags now worth money?

 

[ModernMiner]

A bit of advice... if you Google 'slave shackles' on the image search, make sure the kids aint around, or you have safe search enabled.... ahem...

Steve,
Thanks for that tip. I just ordered a set.
-MM-

 

[STH69]

Nice relic find!

 

[beetle662]

The Cow Shackle idea is certainly a viable option..... BUT......

Given the location of where these were located, and I am fairly sure these were forged by the owner and there are no "norms" on how slave shackles were made, I'm still leaning towards the slave shackle theory.

HOWEVER - I have contacted the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center here in Cincinnati adn awaiting a response from them. I have requested that they look at them and give me an opinion.

Thanks everyone for the kind words and suggestions!

 

[shaun7]

A bit of advice... if you Google 'slave shackles' on the image search, make sure the kids aint around, or you have safe search enabled.... ahem...

 

[Steve_UK]