52/283

This is a horse gag, or farrier's gag, thought to come from either Buckingham or Aylesbury. The maker's name, 'Arnold and Sons, London' is stamped on the side of the gag. A brass socket connects the iron part to the turned handle.

1 Gag (farriers): metal (brass & iron)

MERL miscellaneous note - See also 51/168 M, Letter, Donor to Mr Higgs, 23 October 1952 - '... I am afraid I cannot tell you a lot about the objects I brought in, except that they all were picked up in the vicinity of Buckingham or Aylesbury. ...', Object history research, December 2022 - 'How can this object be described? This hand tool consists of a metal square frame with a metal circle in the centre. A brass socket connects the metal part to the turned handle. // What was this object used for? It is used to force and hold a horse's mouth open when administering a 'ball' or drench. It was used by vets. // How old is it? The maker's name, 'Arnold and Sons, London' is stamped on the side of the gag. Arnold and Sons were veterinary instrument makers, from 1829 to 1928. // Which other objects in the collection relate to the farrier’s gag? This is a balling gun [MERL 61/209]. It a veterinary instrument was used for administering medicinal 'physic balls' to horses suffering from colic. Once the farrier’s gag held the horse’s mouth open this device would insert medicine into the horse’s throat.'

Greater London [region]