Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Have you seen an Animal Trap Gun c1850 like this one?

dana_w · 1st July 2016, 08:12 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.

1st July 2016, 08:12 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 12:03 AM.