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The origin of this steel spring jawed hawk trap is unknown. The trap would be mounted on the end of a long pole and set up in the open. Bait was placed on the round platform in the centre of the trap and the hawk would be caught in the un-serrated jaws. The trap is stamped with ‘H. Lane, Maker’. Hawks were caught because they attacked and killed young poultry.

1 trap: steel

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'The origin of this trap is unknown. It is a steel spring jawed trap which was mounted on the end of a long pole and set up in the open. The bird was trapped when it took the bait from the round platform in the centre. The bottom plate consists of a metal ring 4.5 inches in diameter. Rivetted to it is a semicircular piece of spring metal which is ringed around the jaws at its other end. These plain sided jaws, without serrations, are semi-circular, and project at right angles to the bottom plate when unset. The round platform in the centre is 2.5 inches in diameter. A brass clip projecting on the outer edge of the trap is drawn over the jaws when set and fixed under a brass notch at the edge of the platform. // The trap is stamped ‘H. Lane, Maker’ in two places, on the brass clip and on the bottom plate. // Hawks were destroyed because they attack and kill young poultry.', Lavinia Smith No. 389., Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // 386-391. Six old traps (rat and rabbit)', Heritage of the Hendreds Exhibition 1969 - 'Catalogue of Exhibits // Number 331 // Hawk Trap // Lent by MERL Miss Smith c.'

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)