Fetters

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This article concerns physical fetters used as restraints. For the American Physicist see Alexander Fetter. For the Buddhist concept of mental fetters, see Fetter (Buddhism).

Fetters in use

Fetters, shackles or leg irons are a kind of physical restraint used on the feet or ankles. The term "fetter" shares a root with the word "foot".

In humans, typically only prisoners or bondage fetishists will wear shackles. A shackled animal is typically either a dangerous animal or one prone to escape.

Metaphorically, a fetter may be anything that restricts or restrains in any way, hence the word "unfettered".

[edit] History

Cup lock shackle with no built-in lock

The earliest fetters found in archaeological excavations date from the prehistoric age and are mostly of the puzzle lock type. Roman times already see a variety of restraint types. Some early versions of cup lock shackles can already be found. These are widely used in medieval times but their use declines when mass production makes the manufacture of locks built into restraints affordable.

Simple fetter types continue to be used like puzzle lock shackles as the typical slave iron or irons riveted shut for prisoners being transported to overseas prison camps.

Standard type legirons made in Taiwan

The First built-in locks often were of a simple screw-type but soon developed into the "Darby" type. In Europe these continued to be used into the middle of the 20th century, whereas in the US from the late 19th century onwards many new designs were invented and produced before handcuffs and leg irons of the Peerless type became the standard several decades ago.

A recent development of the last few decades are high security restraints that incorporate a cylinder lock that is more difficult to pick than the lock on standard type cuffs.

[edit] Controversial use

Heavy leg irons from China, including a metal plate to protect the keyhole from collecting dust

In comparison to handcuffs the wearing of leg irons may be found less restrictive. Thus the prison authorities in several countries deem their long term use acceptable. In order to not condone this disputed practice the countries of the European Union have banned exporting leg irons into non-EU countries. The countries that continue to make prisoners wear fetters long term now tend to resort to manufacture their own restraints.