Wooden thistle tongs

Wooden tongs like these were used to pull thistles.  Pulling was more effective than cutting as the whole plant, including the roots, could be removed.  Thistles were sometimes fed to horses to supplement the summer feed.  These tongs were used at Low Culgroat Farm, Stoneykirk until the 1930s.   The tongs consist of two arms of wood held together by an iron bolt.  The handles have curved grips and the pincer-like jaws are scored on the inner faces to improve the grip.  The initials T.C. are carved on one of the arms.
Object no :
SRMA014a-c
Collection :
Creator :
NA
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
L:1080mm; W:470mm
Materials :
wood, iron
Location :
NA
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