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This is a rotary barley awner, also known as a 'barley hummeller'. It was found at Langford Downs Farm, Lechlade, Gloucestershire. Threshing to separate the grain from the straw was done by hand with a flail. After threshing barley is then hummelled to remove the short lengths of awn still attached to the grain. This hummelling tool was rolled along the barley spread on the floor to knock off the awns.

1 Barley Awner (rotary): rotted away in places

MERL 'Handwritten catalogue' form – ‘[object name] // [object classification] // [Acc. Number] // neg. [number] // [source] // [description – not always present]: Came from Mr. Howe's [sic - Hough's] farm. Found 50 yrs ago at sale at Langford Downs Farm' // [pencil sketch]', Letter donor to MERL, 4 July 1952 - 'In the back yard of the local blacksmith house is a 'barley hummeller' - would this be of interest to you? It is constructed of iron rather in the shape of a garden roller but that roller is, of course, replaced by a series of knives. It is rusty but otherwise in fair condition.'

1902