Legcuffs

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This article is about physical fetters used as restraints. For other uses, see Fetter (disambiguation).
Leg cuffs in use

Leg cuffs, shackles, footcuffs, fetters or leg irons are a kind of physical restraint used on the feet or ankles to allow walking but prevent running and kicking. They made the leg irons restrict running and kicking so that the prisoners could not fight back.[1] The term "fetter" shares a root with the word "foot".

With respect to humans, typically only prisoners, bondage fetishists, and slaves while enslaved wore shackles. Leg shackles are used for chain gangs to keep them together. [2]

Chain Gang Street Sweepers, 1909

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".

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. Fetters are also referenced in ancient times in the Bible.

In the Scriptures the Hebrew word necho′sheth, usually meaning “copper,” is frequently translated “fetters of copper” or “copper fetters,” because fetters were often made of copper or bronze, although wood and iron were also employed. (2Sa 3:34; 2Ki 25:7) In the British Museum there is a pair of bronze fetters from Nineveh (the capital city of ancient Assyria) in the form of a bar with a ring at each end.[3]

Roman times already see a variety of restraint types. Some early versions of cup lock shackles can already be found. These were widely used in medieval times but their use declined when mass production made 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 leg irons 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.

Controversial use

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

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 avoid condoning this disputed practice the countries of the European Union have banned exporting leg irons into non-EU countries.[4][5] The countries that continue to make prisoners wear fetters long term now tend to resort to manufacturing their own restraints.

BDSM Activities

These are widely used in BDSM activities on the submissive by the dominant. This can be used as a restrain to the movement of the submissive in tease and denial and also in tie and tease. This is widely used as a part of the scene in various BDSM activities such as human furniture, bondage, public humiliation, and animal roleplay.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.credoreference.com/entry/mcfcpus/shackles/
  2. ↑ Reynolds, Marylee. "Back on the Chain Gang". Corrections Today. Gale group. Retrieved 1 October 2013. 
  3. ↑ Insight on the Scriptures Vol. 1 pp. 350-352 (Bond)
  4. ↑ Civilising the torture trade, by Steve Wright, The Guardian, Thursday March 13, 2003
  5. ↑ COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1236/2005 of 27 June 2005, concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
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