51/696

Nothing of known of the origins of this very large two-pronged pitchfork head. It was probably used for gathering up or spreading hay or straw, rather than for pitching.

1 pitchfork: metal; good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This very large sized pitchfork was probably used for gathering up or spreading hay or straw rather than for pitching. It consists of two prongs, each 15 inches in length which are diamond shape in profile. The prongs are 11 inches apart at the tip and gradually narrow to combine in the tanged point for fixing in the handle, which is 6 inches in length. // In Hampshire the term for a fork of this kind is a GAMBOL (see Curtis Museum Catalogue of Exhibits 1946 pp23–4) i.e. “Gambril” a spreader. It had quite a short handle about two feet long and was used for spreading straw after threshing over the farmyard. The cattle were then turned in to forage in the straw. The origins of this specimen are unknown. // See 52/4', No Lavinia Smith No. recorded

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)