load of bull

[davtec (dave)]

out on the farm yesterday,usual rubbish finds (half pennys.bullets.tubes.) and this
knob thing /- it has a taperd thread inside and a small hole on the side,
i thought it was a bit off furnuture,but when i returned to the farm the farmer told me
it was to put on the end of a bulls horns to stop them goreing,but he had a sly grin on face,i think he is bulling me up please help as i am on the horns of a dilemma

[detectordave]

no he is not bullin you thats what they are

[U.K. Brian]

Interesting thing is I've had lots of these in Wales (none in England) and mine are all threaded, as the bottom left one shows, whilst yours has a hole I suppose to put a side screw in.

I wonder which is the early design ?

[Al.Thepastfinder, ( Alan )]

iv'e found a few of these as well Brian and Yes, the farmer is right, though there is some doubt of their use,
 In the 17 / 1800.s  they used to dress the cows and bulls up  for shows like they did with the horses at horse Shows,  tassles and brasses,  plumes and steamers ect, as they were in the public domain  these were put on the end of the horns to protect the public.  they'd often have a steamer going across from one to another,
 hope that helps,

[coleggwent(phil)]

good shout bri and alan dont know if they are that old  but they are what you said

[bobkoi]

yes exactly as others have said.  bull