Need some help on early barrel lock restraint out of old salem museum.

Earl

Bought this out of an estate auction in North Carolina. Looks like blacksmith made barrel lock restraint. It has a hinged loop. It was an item out of the old Salem Museum. Could use some help on the purpose and dating of the piece. thanks

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

Earl wrote
Bought this out of an estate auction in North Carolina. Looks like blacksmith made barrel lock restraint. It has a hinged loop. It was an item out of the old Salem Museum. Could use some help on the purpose and dating of the piece. thanks

Looks a little large for a restraint unless it is just the right size for a wrist or ankle. It might be what is comonly referred to as a kit bag lock for a traveling salesman. In the 1800’s in the US salesmen would have a cloth kit in which was a sample of each of their wares. They would roll it up and put such a lock around it to secure the contents.
BBE.

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