MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Stanley]

What is it?

[Big Kev]

Looks like an instrument of torture

[Gloria]

Is it a ring for a bulls nose?

[Mags]

Its not a bulls nose ring, is it to do with a brooch??

[Stanley]

Sorry, nobody has got it yet.
Funnily enough Kev was nearest even though he missed.

[PanBiker]

Depending how big it is which cant really be seen but is it a device to stop nagging women from talking?

Are they called "Wife Scolds"?

[Stanley]

Not women and not talking but you are getting very close Ian. It's about and inch and a half across.....

[PanBiker]

Pig ring?

[Stanley]

No Ian. Not a ring in that sense and a much smaller animal. You were close with the scold's bridle.....

[Wendyf]

Something to do with ferrets?

[Stanley]

Yes Wendy!!!

[Wendyf]

I think I got the answer last year too, is it a sort of muzzle?

[Stanley]

Correct Wendy. There were different sixes and they clipped round the jaw and the two prongs went behind the fangs. They didn't distress the ferrets if properly sized and certainly helped avoid them Holing up with a rabbit. Well done!
Next object anyone?

[Stanley]

Try this. What, exactly, is this.

[Steeplejerk]

Is it a Mink ?

[Wendyf]

It has to be a ferret!

[Big Kev]

Is it a polecat-mink hybrid? A khor?

[Stanley]

That's a bit too advanced for me Kev. All I know is that it's a polecat ferret an d so yes you have the right answer.
A small factoid for you. In a conversation with a man in Wales who had a magnificent Harris Hawk called Freya, he told me he used ferrets to bolt the prey that the hawk caught. I asked him if he used polecats and he said no, he was forced to use white ferrets. I asked him why he said forced and he said that Freya killed the polecats she didn't recognise the difference between them an d prey, but she was fine with albino ferrets.....
No extra charge for this valuable information.
Next object?

[Stanley]

Have a look at THIS web page. It looks as though I should have been hoarding up ferret muzzles. They sold out at £155 each!

Try this one.....



Can anyone remember why it has a hard rubber post in the centre?

[Mags]

Its your bowl for knocking the ash out of your pipe.

[Stanley]

That's what I always thought Margaret but later found good evidence that it was originally for an entirely different purpose.
Sorry Love!

[Tizer]

Did it originally have a sharp vertical spike sticking out of the centre for putting paper bills, invoices etc on?

[Stanley]

No Peter. It was for a very domestic purpose, especially useful at Xmas!

[Steeplejerk]

Is it a nutcracker bowl ??

[Stanley]

Well done Tom! Yes, As Margaret said at one time I thought it was for knocking your pipe out because that's what I was told but later saw good evidence it was for cracking nuts, evidently there was a small wooden hammer that went with it.
I shall have to think of another one now....