Another Hint Uncovered

[kimbershot]

I posted some pics the other day trying to identify a "ball" I uncovered in SC. Researching the find--I " believe" that my discovery is part of a ball and chain used to restrain slaves. Other possibilites include restraining horses. I don't believe that it was used as a counter weight for a gate or as a "bell clapper". Electrolysis has helped remove a lot of crud, reveiling a mark (backward 3?).

A website http://www.realorrepro.com/article/New-handcuffs-leg-irons-slave-shackles describes restraints that have similar characteristics. Can anyone help me shed light on this? Perhaps you have a websource?

Thanks for looking.

 

[Cajuncoinhunter]

I have seen similar types of these things used to secure and strand up barbed wire fences and secure posts at the waters edge of a bayou or canal when solid footing was not available.

 

[kimbershot]

i contacted a dealer/collector of antique restraints (cuffs, irons etc). he identified my find as a weight used in a scale commonly found on plantations (cotton, rice). the weight also found use as a restraint (ball and chain) by threading chain through the opening. i found this item at a church which had a separate enterance to the slave gallery. the church is one of two that survived sherman's march through sc's low country.