Curry comb

A curry comb is a tool for cleaning a horse's coat and the brushes used in grooming. Historical metal examples may have several rows of teeth and a wooden handle. They belong to stable and horse-care equipment and may be found among other farm tools.

The Museum of English Rural Life records a round example with three rows of teeth and a wooden handle, found in an old stable. The Science Museum Group holds another metal curry comb with a wooden handle and British Railways markings. These examples show why construction and markings should be examined rather than assigning every such object to a single group of users.

Distinguish a curry comb from an ordinary bristle brush and from wool-processing tools. For a catalogue, photograph the underside, tooth rows, handle and attachments. Record legible markings and a documented findspot. The museum objects' British provenance or particular construction cannot be transferred to an unmarked example found in Norway.

Sources: Museum of English Rural Life: strigle 83/38; Science Museum Group: metallstrigle 1986-7110.