I'm pretty sure in the movie he is seen with the shackle on as a bear too. That raises the question of how it changes size to accomdate the shapeshift
As for that detail being missing from the model I'd say its safe to assume GW based it off an earlier concept. It has been well documented how many designs have not been finalised until the very last minute on these films.
When I pick it up I intend to sculpt the shackle, and the the various scars and cuts, onto the bear version to bring it more in line with the version we saw on screen.[/quote]
hmmn, you may be right. one of the beorn designs i see floating around the web is that his bear form has a thick mane, similar to his mohawk 'do. it's lacking on the gw mini. to me the beorn bear form mini just looks like a regular large bear, no characteristics to tie it much to man-beorn apart from the mutton chops.