HANDCUFFS WITH KEY
1854 - 1895(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'.
Provenanced to Fremantle Prison.
Details
Details
(a) 'L', 'L', '27', convict broad arrow/ 'W D'
(b) 'N 35'
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.
