AMONGST the items on show at the newly designed Craven Museum when Skipton Town Hall reopens on Monday, June 21 will be anti-poacher man-traps and a ‘spring- gun’.
The flintlock rifle was donated to the museum in 1929 by the then owner of Gargrave House. He also handed over a 5ft long man-trap, with 19ins serrated jaws, that were designed to break a leg of anyone unfortunate enough to step on it.
The gun and man-trap were used on the estate in the 18th century to protect game from poachers. Their use was made illegal in 1827 - ‘except as protection against burglars in houses where they might be set from sunset to sunrise.’
Wires were attached to the trigger of the gun which was loaded with a heavy charge of shot. It would have been hidden in the undergrowth as a ‘booby-trap’ in such a way that anyone stumbling over or treading on, any of the wires received the full charge in the leg.
Spring-guns were also used in the 18th century to protect graveyards.
The man-trap is currently in storage. Because of its size it will not be part of the collection when the museum reopens, but there is a chance it will be put on display in the future. A smaller man-trap will however be on display.
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