Bilboes, like those pictured above, were commonly found in prisons and slave ships during the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries. Bilboes used in the Bastille during the French Revolution are highly prized antiques. Medieval, Colonial, Civil war, and Rendezvous  reenactors  can use these for a taste of authenticity. The U shaped restraints are made of 3/4 by 1/4 low carbon steel.  The cross piece is 1/2 inch steel rod.  The left side of the rod is flattened slightly to prevent removal while the right side has a hole ready for a standard size padlock. Blackened and finished with beeswax.