88/31/1-2

This is a set of two pig ringers, one larger than the other. They came with a pack of copper wire rings (88/31/3). One of the ringers (88/31/2) has the word 'PATENT' embossed at the joint. These ringers are normally used to put rings in pigs' noses but the donor, Mr Lucas, said that he used them to put rings on chickens as well as pigs. He was a farmer and dairyman from Reading, Berkshire. These ringers are part of the Lucas Collection of objects and documents.

2 pig ringers: metal; good condition.

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: PIG RINGER // Accession number: 88/31/1-3 // Classification: LIVESTOCK Veterinary // Negative number: 60/15481-15483 // Acquisition method: GIFT // Acquired from, date: H. B. LUCAS, [...], 10 June 1988 // Store: small object // Condition: good // Recorder, date: JMB 2.3.89 // Description: A set of two pig ringers with curved handles and a packet of copper wire rings. The two ringers are similar in shape but one is larger than the other. // 88/3/1 : No inscription // 88/31/2 : Inscription : PATENT // 88/31/3 : Rings priced @ 69p per lb. // Dimensions: Length: 88/31/1 : 18.0cm 88/31/2 : 20.0cm // Rings: 3.0cm // Associated information: Used normally for putting rings in pigs' noses but Mr Lucas said he used them also for putting rings on chickens. // References:', MERL Miscellaneous note, Greta Bertram, 19 February 2014 – The Lucas Collection contains objects (88/23–88/43) and documents (D90/8/1–21) donated by Mr H. B. Lucas, a farmer and dairyman. Mr Lucas kept chickens, cows and pigs on his smallholding in Whitley Wood Road, Reading, and retired in 1971. The Lucas family farmed in a small way at Lane End Farm in Shinfield, Reading, from the end of the nineteenth century. Mr Lucas’ grandfather built Lane End House, and brought threshing machines to Berkshire, and his uncle was a threshing tackle contractor with premises opposite the farm. The objects in the Collection were used by Mr Lucas on his smallholding and in conjunction with his dairy business. The documents (now in the MERL Archives) consist of show catalogues for poultry and fancier's associations, prize certificates for eggs and poultry, record cards for egg production and newspaper cuttings about shows.