51/423

This mole trap has six prongs and a vertical spring release and was designed to kill the mole instantly, without regard for the pelt. It fell out of use at the beginning of the twentieth century when moleskin became valuable. It is thought that traps like this were made locally by village blacksmiths, and that they were more probably used in gardens and allotments than in open fields.

1 mole trap: metal

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This type of trap was used to kill moles without regard for the pelt, as the mole was usually pierced by at least four of the prongs. It was discarded at the beginning of this century when moleskin became valuable. It is said to have been used more on gardens and allotments than on open fields. // In setting, the prongs are held back against the spring by a trigger, which is so essential that the trigger should be placed across the run, so that the mole releases the catch by upward pressure on it. // The traps were often made locally by village blacksmiths. This one was made and used in Warwickshire. // It measures 21 inches in length. See also 51/251 M', MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'This trap was used to kill Moles without regard to the pelt. It was discarded about fifty years ago, probably when the skin of the mole was commercialised and worth curing this trap was replaced by the present type. I understand it was used more on gardens and allotments than the open fields. // It is reputed to have been made in this district by local blacksmiths but whether it was an original idea of one man or copied it is hard to say. // I gave the best example I have seen to the ‘Curtis Museum’ at Alton, this was prefect and I used it once and caught a mole which was quite dead and pierced by four of the six spikes and the pelt was useless. // There is no art in ‘setting’ but it is essential that the trigger is across the run, the mole releases the catch by upward pressure on the trigger and is promptly killed and the run blocked. C. Watson, NAPTON. Nr Rugby. Warwicks.'

Warwickshire

1825-01-01 - 1874-12-31

Mid-nineteenth century