It's A Trap!

[terrywalker]

Last week, my grandson was hunting on our place in the mountains. As he was walking along our ATV trail on the east fence line, he came across this. It was already sprung. I'm debating on whether to strip the rust off of it in a bath or leave it as is. I want to use it as a wall decoration in our cabin. I'm not familiar with animal leg/foot traps and cannot find info on this type. All the parts move but I have no intention of setting it and using it. They are illegal in most instances in Washington state. I'm surprised we never had seen the chain before, which is all he saw while walking along. We have owned the place since 1990 and its gated. Very interesting find.
Terry W.

 

[AR67GTX]

I have a few such traps and although stored inside they are pretty rusty anyway. I would just leave it as is.

 

[eldubb440]

i'd soak it in molasses and water for a month or 2........you have options

 

[Cranky]

I guess it depends on where you live and the hassle of 'varmints' where you are. Many years ago I had moles (or one) and they/it were tearing stuff up but seems to be, there was only one doing it because once I 'trapped' one, it all stopped.

 

[terrywalker]

I finally found some info on the trap after wire brushing it a little. It is a Triumph Easy Set 3XK triple clutch style trap. Triumph was in business from around 1913 to 1935. Very interesting history. Not worth much. Wall art for our cabin.

 

[The Rebel]

I spend a lot of time out in the woods metal detecting and have found a few of them all sprung and rusted shut.

In looking at it l'm guessing it was for coyotes.

 

[Cranky]

I finally found some info on the trap after wire brushing it a little. It is a Triumph Easy Set 3XK triple clutch style trap. Triumph was in business from around 1913 to 1935. Very interesting history. Not worth much. Wall art for our cabin.

The few I've found are the same way.....just way too many are wall art and nothing much more. But....I'm sure there are some that are more than wall art....?

 

[Bees-knees]

I happen to be a trap collector and your trap is from the late 20’s to early 30’s. They had a large and small pan version and yours is the latter. It appears complete with the spring keepers on the base and full chain. Most antique traps don’t have a lot of value but there are some real rare gems out there to be had. There were hundreds of different manufacturers since 1850 and hundreds of blacksmiths making traps prior to 1850.