darbies

The darbies are the fetlocks — the fast-keepers, my boy — the bail for good behaviour, my darling; and if you are not the more conforming, I can add you a steel nightcap, and a curious bosom-friend, to keep you warm of a winter night.

Peveril of the Peak 1822

The darbies are the fetlocks -- the fast-keepers, my boy -- the bail for good behaviour, my darling; and if you are not the more conforming, I can add you a steel nightcap, and a curious bosom-friend, to keep you warm of a winter night.

Peveril of the Peak Walter Scott 1801

"Those who dealt that blow," said he, "were already well used to this little instrument"; and so saying he produced a pair of "darbies," a kind of handcuff made of a double ring of iron secured by a lock.

In Search of the Castaways 1873

The newcorner was slim, and Rogers felt that he might break him between his hands if he could only get a proper grip; but the drunken drover -- for it was he -- was as sinuous as an eel, and a moment later Joe was on the broad of his back with the 'darbies' on his wrists and a trooper kneeling on his chest, while the drover, transformed into Detective Downy, stood over them, mopping his face with his big false beard.

The Gold-Stealers A Story of Waddy Edward Dyson 1898

And I was out from under, too - I broke into a cold sweat at the thought of how close I'd been to squeezing my trigger; it could have been me that they were hauling downstairs now with the darbies on, full steam for the condemned cell. 18

Watershed 2010

"Put him in darbies and take him to the jail, " the pale officer ordered.

More Twisted Stories Vol II Deaver, Jeffery 2006

Proper chains, that is, not the darbies used by the A Division peelers to restrain obstreperous revellers, but your genuine bilboes.

Flashman on the March Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 2005

"Put him in darbies and take him to the hoosegow," the pale officer ordered.

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine 2004

"Put him in darbies and take him to the hoosegow," the pale officer ordered.

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine 2004

“Those who dealt that blow,” said he, “were already well used to this little instrument”; and so saying he produced a pair of “darbies,” a kind of handcuff made of a double ring of iron secured by a lock.

In Search of the Castaways 2003