Posted by Mark Lyons on February 14, 2002 at 02:10:25:
In Reply to: T.H.Porter - Shackles posted by Larry R. Reiber on February 13, 2002 at 23:17:10:
Larry, consider yourself very lucky that you found these legirons. Not bcause they were a great find, but rather that you did not spend one cent of your hard earned cash on these obvious fakes. These are among the classic imported restraints that are shipped here from India. There have been and endless supply of these on ebay and they are all the same. Sometimes the number on the key will change, but that is about it. If you look close you will see that the links on th chain are electrically welded and the large center ring has been brazed with brass. Electricity was way in the future when this item was supposed to have been manufactured. Isn't it amazing that all of the thousands of these that have been found in Grandpas old barns down in the deep south all have their orginal keys? I wish that one tenth of all the Tower leg irons came with an original key. If you wish to sell this item, it might fetch 4 or 5 hundred from some unknowledgeable Civil War collector or it will bring in $40 to some one who know what it is and what it really is worth.
P.S. Make sure you wash your hands every time you handle it. The way they process the piece to look old is just disgusting.