Man trap from a country estate or large garden
Date made: late 18th-early 19th century
Description: This cast iron man trap originated on a large estate, where it would possibly have been used in an orchard or woodland to deter poachers.
The trap would have been concealed in long grass. The pressure of a foot standing on the plate releases the spring, causing the toothed jaws to close upon the victim's leg, inflicting severe injuries. At the very least these would be lacerations of the flesh, but tendon and ligament damage and even fracture of the bone could result.
The use of man traps and spring guns grew up as the popularity of shooting game for sport increased. This was set against a background of increasing hardship for the working classes in the early 19th century, which in turn led to a rise in poaching from landed estates. The traps were completely arbitrary and often landowners or their servants were killed or injured by them. They were greatly feared, and often a sign warning of them was a sufficient deterrent in itself. In the 1820s they were decried as inhumane and barbaric. Man traps were made illegal in England in 1827, but they were not outlawed in the Isle of Man until 1872.
Measurements: overall: 32 x 58 x 180 cm
Materials: metal: iron
Object name: man trap
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1954-0089
Subject tags : #MM100COLLECTIONS