Very Rare – Double-man “ball and chain”

This type of restraint was most likely used in:

• Prison Labor: For prisoners working in chain gangs in the 18th and 19th centuries. The two-person design allowed for easier supervision, as the guards only had to watch a group of paired inmates.

While a standard “ball and chain” was used for a single prisoner, this variation was designed to shackle two individuals together. The purpose of the device was the same: to severely impede movement, making escape virtually impossible and ensuring constant control over the prisoners. The immense weight of the ball would have made it a grueling burden to carry, serving as both a physical punishment and a constant reminder of their captivity.