Have you seen an Animal Trap Gun c1850 like this one?

dana_w · 1st July 2016, 09:12 PM

This is a double barrel percussion fired black powder trap gun. It dates from the mid 19th century and was likely designed to kill black bears. There is an anchor ring on one end and a barbed meat hook on the other. The barb acts as a trigger to fire the trap when it is pulled.

Animal Trap Guns were horrid devices, but being attacked by a large black bear couldn't have been much fun either. Trap guns like this one were outlawed in the United States along time ago and they are rarely seen today.

Many commercially made trap guns date from same era and can be identified, but this one seems unique and handmade, has anyone seen one like it?

Weight: 5 lb, 6 oz
Approximate Overall Dimensions: 19" x 5" x 5"
The barrels are .68 inches in diameter at the muzzle

All images are copyright (c) 2016 Dana K. Williams. All rights are reserved.

Shakethetrees · 2nd July 2016, 08:35 AM

When I was a kid my grandfather told me about this kind of trap. As he would have had to be a teenager or thereabouts, this would have been sometime in the first decade of the 20th century that he saw it being used.

The torch weld visible in the photos tells it is from no earlier than about the third quarter of the 19th.

dana_w · 2nd July 2016, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shakethetrees

The torch weld visible in the photos tells it is from no earlier than about the third quarter of the 19th.

That is a good point Shakethetrees. Perhaps I should change my description to c1880.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 8th July 2016, 02:09 AM

Here, Another.

Rick · 8th July 2016, 03:03 AM

I would think ones like Dana's example would have been popular with Cattle Ranchers back in the day.
Bait, chain to tree about 3-4 feet off the ground; one less threat to the herd.

dana_w · 8th July 2016, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Here, Another.

Thanks for your comments Ibrahiim al Balooshi and Rick.

The F. REUTH cast-iron model and a few other mass-produced Antique Trap Guns are listed in section VII-C of Flayderman's Guide, but the guide hasn't been updated in many years.

https://books.google.com/books?id=7pyVTm2PibUC&lpg=PA399&dq=flayderman's%20 guide%20animal%20trap&pg=PA399#v=onepage&q=flayder man's%20guide%20animal%20trap&f=false

It seems likely the one that begun this post is unique, but I'd love to find another one.

There are marks on each barrel which could be proof or maker marks, but they are undecipherable to me.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 8th July 2016, 10:01 PM

And...

1st July 2016, 09:12 PM	#1
dana_w Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southeast Florida, USA Posts: 429	Have you seen an Animal Trap Gun c1850 like this one? This is a double barrel percussion fired black powder trap gun. It dates from the mid 19th century and was likely designed to kill black bears. There is an anchor ring on one end and a barbed meat hook on the other. The barb acts as a trigger to fire the trap when it is pulled. Animal Trap Guns were horrid devices, but being attacked by a large black bear couldn't have been much fun either. Trap guns like this one were outlawed in the United States along time ago and they are rarely seen today. Many commercially made trap guns date from same era and can be identified, but this one seems unique and handmade, has anyone seen one like it? Weight: 5 lb, 6 oz Approximate Overall Dimensions: 19" x 5" x 5" The barrels are .68 inches in diameter at the muzzle All images are copyright (c) 2016 Dana K. Williams. All rights are reserved. Attached Images Last edited by dana_w; 2nd July 2016 at 01:03 AM.

8th July 2016, 02:09 AM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Here, Another. Attached Images

8th July 2016, 10:01 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	And... Attached Images

2nd July 2016, 08:35 AM	#2
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	When I was a kid my grandfather told me about this kind of trap. As he would have had to be a teenager or thereabouts, this would have been sometime in the first decade of the 20th century that he saw it being used. The torch weld visible in the photos tells it is from no earlier than about the third quarter of the 19th.

8th July 2016, 03:03 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I would think ones like Dana's example would have been popular with Cattle Ranchers back in the day. Bait, chain to tree about 3-4 feet off the ground; one less threat to the herd.