Themes this can be used for:

			Middle Passage

These 19th century leg-irons were used to restrain enslaved people and stop them escaping, especially on board ship during the Middle Passage. The metal bar is turned and withdrawn and the two horseshoe-shaped rings fitted around the ankles. The bar is then replaced, turned, and locked into position. Sometimes two captives were chained in pairs with the leg-irons on board ship to limit their movement when being exercised. They are made of rough solid iron and very heavy. They would rub the skin causing it to chaff, bruise and bleed. Being put in irons was a punishment in the Navy as well as on the plantations.

Credit/copyright