John Silver holding a peg leg.
A peg leg is an artificial limb fitted to the stump of a human leg. Peg legs were constructed out of a variety of materials, such as metal or wood. One variety, made by Dr. Howell, consists of a leather cup that fits over the stump connected to a wooden central portion that extends into a metal leg and foot.
History[]
Season One[]
After Randall’s leg is amputated, Dr. Howell makes him a peg leg out of fear that using the crutch, especially in the galley, would be too much of an impediment. John Silver tries to help him convince Randall to wear it, but the cook refuses, pointing a knife at them. Later, when De Groot is threatening Silver at gunpoint, Randall knocks him unconscious with the peg leg[1].
Season Three[]
After John Silver’s leg is amputated, Dr. Howell makes him a prosthetic. However, he begins using it frequently while the wound is still fairly fresh, due to his aversion to being seen using the crutches in front of his men. This irritates the wound, and Howell warns him to relieve the pressure on the wound[2].
While proclaiming Captain Flint’s return in the Tavern, Dufresne interrupts him and begins insulting him, calling him an invalid. Silver knocks his former quartermaster to the ground and smashes his face in with several stomps of his peg leg[3].
Season Four[]
During the Invasion of Nassau, the Walrus, Eagle and Defiant run aground on scuttled ships in the bay, rendering them defenseless to the cannons of the fort. Flint gives the order to abandon ship, and the crews begin fleeing in longboats. Silver, knowing that he’ll be the slowest, waits before trying to descend into a waiting boat on a rope ladder. However, his peg leg gets caught in the ladder, and a shot from the fort knocks the ladder over into the water, where it is dragged to the bottom buy a swivel gun. Silver is able to free himself by cutting the straps of his leg and swimming to safety. After this, he switches to using crutches[4].
Trivia[]
- Peg legs are common features in popular depictions of pirates, although there is little evidence they were actually used.