I Absolutely Positively Never Ever Expected To Find One Of THESE

[lumbercamp]

WOLF TRAP

Actually, I have never mentioned the word wolf trap in discussing metal detecting. Bear traps I have, since they have been found here. People nowadays don't realize that, yes wolves did live in Pennsylvania years ago. The last wolf killed in this area was the mid 1880's. This trap could very well have been in the woods since that era.
I was detecting along a log slide looking for lumber relics and almost didn't detect where the trap was since it was grown up with blackberry canes. I found a small open spot and checked it and found the trap.
The jaw spread is 7 1/2". Evidently, one spring broke and a blacksmith attached a make shift spring. The other spring broke and he attached a strap of metal on the end.
The trap pan is too rusty and I can't make out any name on it. I will not attempt to open it as that could break the spring.

 

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[skaufman77]

cool stuff!

 

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[kuger]

Good thing you did not find your foot in it. That would have been a bad day. Cool to find a trap.

This trap has not been "dangerous",since the day it was left there.Note that the one spring is sprung meaning that it was no longer functional.Also I dont beleive it was "lost",as there is no drag,chain attached.Most likely discarded

 

[mainer]

Neat find.

 

[stagger]

That is a manufactured trap.Newhouse brand trap to be exact. FACT.

 

[spitfire55]

Just be careful out there. Looks harmless but, it and the others that you haven't found can still deliver an old but true eye awakening crunch.

 

[dimetime]

i used those trapping coons when i was 13 teen ,not old find!

 

[soupie]

Yep very cool....And Quite Old....

Soup

 

[lumbercamp]

i used those trapping coons when i was 13 teen ,not old find!

I trapped coon for 36 years using a 1 1/2 coilspring. I could fit 4 of those traps inside the jaws of this trap. This trap is not a coon trap.

 

[Bum Luck]

i used those trapping coons when i was 13 teen ,not old find!

I trapped coon for 36 years using a 1 1/2 coilspring. I could fit 4 of those traps inside the jaws of this trap. This trap is not a coon trap.

Roger that.

I trapped a lot as a kid, and the trap is not for coons. We used a number 2 on them. This is a number 4, with teeth, so it's for coyote or wolf.

Not nearly big enough for bear.

 

[RHoward]

That trap even when in working condition would never have held a wolf. The trap is cobbled together, springs are mismatched. The trap with the teeth were made to trap beaver on a slide wire into deep water. Traps with teeth are no longer made. A cool find and a conversation piece displayed the way it is now.

 

[lumbercamp]

That trap even when in working condition would never have held a wolf. The trap is cobbled together, springs are mismatched. The trap with the teeth were made to trap beaver on a slide wire into deep water. Traps with teeth are no longer made. A cool find and a conversation piece displayed the way it is now.

I never trapped beaver so I have no idea what type of trap was used so I checked my book "The Vanished Trapping" Era by Dave E Drake. It shows traps with teeth for animals as small as mink, skunk, opossum and as large for elephants. Beaver were gone from Penna by the late 1800's and not trapped again until 1934. This trap was found at the head of a run that was very rocky. The trees in 1800's were mature virgin timber. Not the kind beaver live on. Large amounts of hemlock bark was used in the tanneries here. What the heck. Wolf trap sounds more exciting then beaver trap.

 

[kuger]

Wow!Bunch of misinformed experts!!!For one thing,if you used these on coons #1 your a fool,#2 you broke the law,as teeth on Jaws are and have been illegal for many many years(Longer than you have been alive)

Second,this is not a Newhouse FACT,or any other "name Brand",Newhouse never made any trap with a base plate attachment like this,and if it was a Newhouse it would actually be worth more than the hand forged trap that it is!!!!

This trap is non functional,and has been for some time.You people that say"Ohhh,look out for the other ones",may I ask when was the last time you heard of somebody stepping in a trap?

I am an expert on traps,have collected them for all my life and have used them professionally for over 35 years.All you historical buff's should recognize the significance the leghold trap is to the settling of our nation!

Last,this could be a beaver trap,or actually one that could be used for beaver.Interesting fact for you,a few years ago I was asked to leghold trap a certain number of wolves for the Gov.(my employer)and the best traps we found were the #4 Newhouse(which was actually made for coyote,and beaver)and the 4 1/2 Newhouse which was made for wolves and ironically what I used for beaver......still do!!!$450.00 trap!

 

[BuckleBoy]

Killer find!! (literally. )

Well done, my friend.

-Buckles

 

[CrazySlasher]

Wow!Bunch of misinformed experts!!!For one thing,if you used these on coons #1 your a fool,#2 you broke the law,as teeth on Jaws are and have been illegal for many many years(Longer than you have been alive)

Second,this is not a Newhouse FACT,or any other "name Brand",Newhouse never made any trap with a base plate attachment like this,and if it was a Newhouse it would actually be worth more than the hand forged trap that it is!!!!

This trap is non functional,and has been for some time.You people that say"Ohhh,look out for the other ones",may I ask when was the last time you heard of somebody stepping in a trap?

I am an expert on traps,have collected them for all my life and have used them professionally for over 35 years.All you historical buff's should recognize the significance the leghold trap is to the settling of our nation!

Last,this could be a beaver trap,or actually one that could be used for beaver.Interesting fact for you,a few years ago I was asked to leghold trap a certain number of wolves for the Gov.(my employer)and the best traps we found were the #4 Newhouse(which was actually made for coyote,and beaver)and the 4 1/2 Newhouse which was made for wolves and ironically what I used for beaver......still do!!!$450.00 trap!

 

[faderdave]

GOOD FIND. When i was a kid i found an old abandoned house. Their were 7 or 8 animal traps in there and the tags on them were dated back to the thirties. Believe it or not some of those were still in good shape. they could still be used.