Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. an American [= Yank n. (2)].

2002		D. Shaw ‘Dead Beard’ at www.asstr.org 🌐 Drop the ham shank routine, you were born in Stockton Road, not the States.
2003		B. Dark Dirty Cockney Rhy. Sl.

2. (also hamshank redemption) an act of masturbation [= wank n. (1)].

1997		Roger’s Profanisaurus in Viz 87 Dec. n.p.: beat-the-meat euph. To avail oneself of a ham shank, perform the five-knuckle-shuffle (qv).
2005		Roger’s Profanisaurus in Viz Apr. 47: hamshank redemption n. A discreet bout of male pleasure.