Are these really shackles?

This is selling in a local auction. I'm not sure they're shackles. There's no way to open and close them. And it looks like there's one different link in the chain. Is it for hanging these from something and allowing the ends to hang at different lengths? It's almost like pulleys or something.

Any one know what they are?

https://banddauctions.hibid.com/lot/164780714/antique-american-iron-shackles?ref=catalog

 

Are they for hanging pots in a fireplace maybe?

 

Shackles?? With the openings at about 3 inches who are you going to shackel? A 2 year old to stop them from crawling around? LOL!!!!!!!!!!

 

Uh Oh, spoke too soon............. maybe they had small ankles back then......
https://www.ima-usa.com/products/or...-slave-trade-leg-irons?variant=19503771287621

 

I'm still not convinced. The chain is too long for shackles. And they would have to be forged on the ankle.

 

This one actually has a way to open and then lock on the ankle.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1050558300/ottoman-empire-rare-slave-shackles

 

Not really - one of the shackle hooks could have been open (straightened) then hammered closed around the chain. But who knows.

 

Now I'm wondering if these were some kind of tourist repro.

 

Horse hobble?

 

I have read that when these things come up, they are more than likely fantasy items.

 

I think that these are possibly for restraining animals, possibly cows or similar when being branded. Here we often find exactly the same type of fitting, but single and much larger, to go round the neck, that were used on sheep and cows, but to hold the bell !

 

If they were for sheep, cows or horses they would be called hobbles.

Linda

 

Thank you @Ivetterli

Thanks to your putting a name to these, I found this on an internet site, listed as antique hobbles.....

 

Hobbles makes much more sense. Thanks!

 

Those had to hurt horses. Thank goodness they changed them to leather and plastic.

 

I just checked and soeone paid $80 for them. I don't think they would have paid that if they were correctly labeled.

 

Yay! My old brain is still useful! Makes me feel good to be able to contribute.

LV

 

And very useful information too!!

 

Was the answer I gave in post #9 incorrect in some way?

 

no... not at all !

but there is that question mark.....

So putting that out there allowed others to confirm and expand that information....

It takes a village ! ...