Iron gin rat trap, England, 1750-1900

Iron gin trap for rats, probably English, 1750-1900

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Iron gin trap for rats, probably English, 1750-1900
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Iron gin trap for rats, probably English, 1750-1900

When a rat or other unfortunate animal stepped on the iron plate in the centre of this device, the metal jaws sprang shut, trapping and badly injuring the animal’s leg. Once caught, the rat would have been killed. The trap was probably placed outside or in the home, or in grain and other food stores where rats were a constant problem.

Gin traps were banned in Britain in 1954 because of the pain and distress caused to animals.

Details

Category:
Public Health & Hygiene
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A190745
Materials:
iron
Measurements:
overall: 46 mm x 160 mm x 132 mm, .56kg
type:
animal trap
credit:
Glendining