Quick Question

[Phil]

This is an image I am in the process of restoring for the local historical society, it shows the village rat catchers.

 

My question is this; Is the chap rear left holding something in his hand or is it simply another blemish on the image?

 

You thoughts please.

 

[Martyn]

Looks to me like he has a stick under his arm.

[Phil]

Looks to me like he has a stick under his arm.

 

Didn't think of that, but whatever it may be it is flat, strop like.

[Black Pearl]

Could be a pipe that has moved slightly during the exposure hence the blur - it has that sort of curve to it.

[Rick448]

I'd love to see the finished restoration.

[Phil]

I'd love to see the finished restoration.

 

No pressure there then 

 

I had thought of a pipe but it appeared flat, your idea that it's moved during exposure would indeed explain it. Although it does seem a little long?

[ChrisLumix]

It's definitely something. His fingers appear to be grasped around something or other, and he has a definite smirk.. Possibly a rat's tail??

[kev7d]

Yes he has something in his hand. Not easy to tell what though.

[FUJI]

It's a stick, pipe or instrument held under his arm in the manner that an military NCO holds a Pace Stick.

The strange appearance is because it naturally moved during the longish exposure required at the time.

FUJI

[Phil]

One thing Phil with eleven rat catchers the village must have had some population of rats..!

 

I guess so

 

The chap 2nd from the right, front row, is still with us, well into his nineties now

[kev7d]

Still with us? Wow.

Does the guy with something in his hand also have something concealed under his jacket on the opposite side?

[Korky]

I'm with Fooj on this one - it does look like a curved stick handle with the stick going back under his arm. But.....

 

A village that needed 11 rat catchers?????????

 

Korky

[JohnP]

I'm 99% sure it's a pipe, I saved the image and zoomed in on it. He's holding the bowl, you can just about make out the end of the stem where the teeth grip is. Not all pipes have a round stem, some are more oval... I should know I smoked a pipe years ago...

[Martyn]

If it's a pipe it must be a very long one; to my eyes the tip of the object is visible behind his right shoulder where it sticks out from under his arm.

[kev7d]

Whatever it was, he had a very cheeky grin on his face.

[Guest]

I can see an animal's head (goat?) with hand on its collar or am I imagining that?

[Phil]

I can see an animal's head (goat?) with hand on its collar or am I imagining that?

 

Not sure what you're smoking right now but, can I have some

[Phil]

Definitely a pipe, as JohnP says. I've just blown it up to 300%.

 

I'd like to see the finished restore, Phil

 

Sheesh, another one. Talk about piling on the pressure 

 

Only started this tonight so it might be a while yet 

[kev7d]

Have you not finished this yet? ;)

[colinb]

I'm with Martyn and Fuji - going by the mans posture and position in the picture he is the leader of the troop and holding a stick as a Sargent or army personal would 

 

and I don't really think his hand is in the right position to be holding a pipe

 

 

and good luck with the restoration   

[FUJI]

That is never a pipe.......look very closely and you will see that it continues under his armpit at the same thickness.....the long clay, Churchwarden's pipes of the day had very thin stems and would never be carried like that.

Any decent Ratcatcher of almost any period of history would need a ....Cudgel......a heavy ended stick with which to dispatch those destructive rodents.

What I do find strange is that the group have no little terriers with them.

Could it be, that they might be a team or group of some kind that called themselves the.....RATCATCHERS.

FUJI

[VWGolf]

I guess so

 

The chap 2nd from the right, front row, is still with us, well into his nineties now

Well, couldn't you nip round and ask him what his mate was holding in his hand?  ;-)

[NannyFerret]

It looks like a long handled pipe with the chimney facing down with his hand curled round it.

[Korky]

I'm still with Fooj and Colin on this - a stick or a cudgel that's being held in a military manner.

 

Has all that made things clearer for you?  

 

Korky 

[Phil]

Has all that made things clearer for you?

 

As mud!

 

At least I'm now sure it is something and not nothing