51/603/1

Lavinia Smith bought this breast plough, with thigh pads, in 1936 from George Collett of Murcote, Oxfordshire, where it was still in use for paring turf and breaking up small areas of downland. It is a very short breast plough, with a wooden handle and a metal share. Fastened to the beam are a knife, for scraping mud from the share, and a pair of wooden thigh pads, which were fastened to the thigs of the ploughment to protect them as he pushed the plough along.

1 breast plough: wood, metal

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Miss Smith bought this breast plough from Mr. George Collett of Murcote in Otmoor, (Oxon), in 1936 when it was still in use for paring turf and breaking up small areas of downland. The price was three half-crowns. // It is a very short breast plough, measuring only 5 feet 4 inches in total length. The wooden beam is 4 feet 9 inches in length and is shaved off at the top to fit through the cross bar. 18 inches from the top two extra pieces are nailed to the main beam and branch out to join the cross bar. The latter is 2 feet 2 inches in length and is tapered at the ends to form handles. The other end of the beam fits through the socket of the metal share, and is held in place by a wedge. Two thongs are nailed across the beam to form straps to hold a knife for scraping mud from the share. The knife now measures 4.75 inches in length, but was originally much longer. // Also fastened to the beam are a pair of wooden BEATERS (THIGH PADS), rectangular boards, 9.75 by 4.75 inches, which were fastened to the thighs of the ploughman to protect them as he pushed the plough along; he pushed with his thighs and hands against the cross bar. // The share is 9 inches from the bottom of the beam to the apex and 12.5 inches in width. The left side of the share is turned up at right angles to form the coulter and is 3 inches high. The share has been repaired where it had worn and cracked near the end of the beam, by a sheet of metal rivetted to the original metal. // See also 51/138M.', Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // 351. A breast-plough. Bought of Geo. Collett of Murcote. Bob Roberts who died a few years ago, once ploughed 5 acres on the downs for Lady Wantage with a breast-plough.', Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) [page 37] - 'No.351 Breast Plough // [pencil sketch] // Breast plough bought of George Colett for the price he asked "three half crowns" in 1936 when it was still is use, at Murcote in Ottmoor // Straps to hold a knife for cleaning off mud // [penicil sketch] // Rough home-made handle padded with layers of sacking // Back against which the poughman pushed // Mr Geo Collett'

Wood, Metal

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)