Box trap from boot sale

[comanche 3,297]

About two n half feet long ,possibly of oak , Circa 1920's? . Guessing suitable for anything from a polecat /marten sized animal up to a cat. Has a swivelling wooden block with a hollow carved for the bait as a treadle . I've rigged a trigger pin and string but once again I was only working on guesswork so any more accurate information would be gratefully accepted .

[john b 38]

That looks a very interesting piece - albeit a little large for the display shelf !

I really like those locking bars - very neat idea.

 

As for information ? well it's not quite like anything I have seen before - similar to a lot of things and using some common principles but not quite the same. I can't find anything like it in my books either.

 

I can't put my finger on it, but that string arrangement doesn't look quite right somehow. The rest of the trap is made with such elegance and simplicity that I can't help thinking the trigger would be 'neater' than that - but I have no evidence to support this.

Perhaps the cord was in more of a 'T' shape with a single strand going down to the peg ? Like this ?

 

 

Having said that the bar of the side that the peg rests against does look like it's about the right width to match the string pattern you have there. Are there any wear patterns on those cross pieces to give a clue to where the cord rested ?

 

And what is that square block that's on the one end of the string ?

[comanche 3,297]

Ah John B ,hello . You are right about the elegance of the original design and the reason _to my shame _that the string and pin arrangement look incongruouse is because they were just something I cobbled up as an experement. No evidence of string -wear grooves. Some marks inside as if it may have been used(lightly ,if at all) but not conclusive . All vulnerable edges are lined with copper plates to prevent scratching or gnawing.

Your' "T" set -up for the string makes for a neater job .I'll try it .

The little block of wood with the pin was loose inside . It seems to help keep the tension right at the the pont where the pin fits into the eylet on the trap-door. Without it it required too much pressure on the treadle to release the trigger.Hope that makes sense. As I mentioned this set-up was my attempt to at least get a rough idea how it works ..But you are right about my efforts looking a bit sad next to the overall quality of the beastie!

Edited September 15, 2008 by comanche

[john b 38]

Don't be so hard on yourself. I wasn't saying you'd got it wrong.

 

That wide bar above the peg seems to support the approach you've taken and my suggestion might not even work if the ratios arent right.

 

That block intrigues me though. It was loose in the box you say ? not attached to the string or the door ?

Any chance of a close up of the block ?

[snareman 3]

Don't be so hard on yourself. I wasn't saying you'd got it wrong.

 

That wide bar above the peg seems to support the approach you've taken and my suggestion might not even work if the ratios arent right.

 

That block intrigues me though. It was loose in the box you say ? not attached to the string or the door ?

Any chance of a close up of the block ?

comanche, the guy should have payed you to take that monstrosity off his hands .

[comanche 3,297]

Don't be so hard on yourself. I wasn't saying you'd got it wrong.

 

That wide bar above the peg seems to support the approach you've taken and my suggestion might not even work if the ratios arent right.

 

That block intrigues me though. It was loose in the box you say ? not attached to the string or the door ?

Any chance of a close up of the block ?

comanche, the guy should have payed you to take that monstrosity off his hands .

Monstrosity? Tis abit like sideboard, you are right. I have this image of it being set in the kitchen or cobbled coach- yard of some great ,cold gothic mansion to deal with scrounging cats . I'l try for a close up for You John b.Also i experimented with other designs of trigger,including a notched stick with the string running through a hole near the top but although it worked well -not too hair triggered but,well, just right- there was to my mind too much chance of it being sprung by an animal foraging around the outside.