HANDCUFFS WITH KEY

1854 - 1895
Overview

(a) Small, semi circular, heavy metal handcuffs. Two semi circular, thick metal cuffs, with 'L/27' stamped into the surface. Each straight, cylindrical, metal barrel across the top. Each barrel is hinged at one end with a lock mechanism for a key at the opposite end. Stamped into the surface of the hinge is '27'. On the opposite end of the barrel is stamped 'W D' with a broad arrow. A small eyelet has been cast into the opposite side of each cuff. The two cuffs are linked together via the eyelets by two long, oval, metal rings, connected in the centre by a swivelling metal joint.

(b) Small, cylindrical, metal key for handcuffs. Small, hollow, cylindrical metal bar with several raised ridges in the middle. Attached to one end is a wide, thin metal oval disk with a small hole near the top. Stamped into the surface, wither side of the hole, is 'N 35'.

Historical information

Provenanced to Fremantle Prison.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-89-1999.216a-b
Item type
Material
Inscriptions and markings

(a) 'L', 'L', '27', convict broad arrow/ 'W D'

(b) 'N 35'

Contextual Information

The ‘convict’ broad arrow originated with Henry Sydney, Earl of Romney who was the Master General of Ordnance 1693-1702. The broad arrow was used in his coat of arms and adopted as the symbol for ordinance in the British Army when asked to mark all government property to reduce theft.

The 'W D' stands for War Department, and was used to mark British Government property between 1854 to 1895.

Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Scientific or research significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Well provenanced
Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison

Organisation Details
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Handcuffs

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