51/190

Although nothing is known of the origin or use of this tooth extractor, also known as a ‘teeth drawler’, it was probably used for the extraction of human teeth. It is shaped like a corkscrew – the tip would be placed around the tooth and the tooth removed by twisting. It belonged to Mr James Stanton of Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.

1 tooth extractor: metal; bone; good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This tooth extractor or “teeth drawler” belonged to Mr. James Stanton of Comdean Lane, near Winchcomb [sic], Glos. It had been in his possession for about fifty years, but nothing was known of its origin or use. It is shaped like an old fashioned corkscrew and was probably used for the extraction of human teeth. It consists of a carved bone handle, 3.3 inches in length and highly decorated in the centre by a gridiron pattern carved in the bone. The metal part, which projects at right angles from the centre of the handle is 4.5 inches in length. At the tip, swivelling in a horizontal plane from the upright part is a semicircular, flattened piece of metal which ends in three pointed tips. This was placed around the tooth and by twisting the handle the points would hold it rigidly, and extract the tooth by more twisting.', MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/190 // NAME: TOOTH EXTRACTOR // NEG NO.: 35/51 // STORAGE: '

1800-01-01 - 1899-12-31

Nineteenth century

Metal, Bone