NEED HELP WITH PHOTO ID OF POSSIBLE FAMOUS PERSON

[mojjax]

opossum trap

 

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[mojjax]

raccoon trap

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

MOJJAX WINS!!!

gopher trap

The correct answer is "Gopher Trap."

I will be back shortly to explain the difference between a mole trap and a gopher trap. Plus several pictures of the complete item.

 

[diggummup]

Couldn't have been won by a better person!

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Mojjax ~

Congratulations! It seems only appropriate for you to win as it was you who first came up with the word "trap." Which in turn seems to have clued the others.

As for the difference between a mole trap, (that diggummup submitted) and a gopher trap, the following should clarify. (I hope).

1. The original owner was approximately 85 years old at the time of his death in 1990. He knew he was dying, and beforehand gave my dad a number of different items. The gopher trap being one of them. Even then there was a debate between my dad and several other oldtimers whether the item was a mole trap or a gopher trap. But the owner sat them all straight, saying the item was definitely a "gopher trap." My dad only recalls the minor details of the debate itself. But clearly recalls the outcome.

2. Prior to posting this contest I did some research of my own on the item. And even though I never did find this "exact" gopher trap, I did find enough evidence to support that it is indeed a gopher trap and not a mole trap. About 99% of the mole traps I researched were designed to activate from "above" the ground with spikes that, when triggered, shot down "on top" of the mole in his "surface" burrow.

I hope this settles any controversy. Plus, I invite everyone to do their own research should they question my findings.

Below is an entire picture of the item. It is in the "set" position, and ready to close down on any unsuspecting gopher who happens to come along and trip the "triggering flap" that releases the two sharp prongs, which in turn would either trap or kill the gopher instantly.

I will post this now for all to see, but will be back with more shortly to discuss Mojjax's prize and a few other things.

Thanks a million to everyone. I hope you had as much fun with this as I did. Also, there is going to be a "Part II Contest" to this one for those of you who choose to participate.

Thanks again. I'll be back!

Bob

Note: Use the small slide-bar below the picture of the gopher for various close ups.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Reduced Image ...

 

[diggummup]

No controversy at all here. mojjax is a good guy and he deserves to win, especially with all the "what's it's" he posted over the years. I just said mole trap because I saw one in a 1894-95 Montgomery Ward catalogue as I was researching this thing earlier and when the "trap" part came up in the thread, I googled "antique mole trap" and found photos that looked similar, so that was my best guess. Gopher was coming next, about 2 minutes too late though!

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Mojjax ~

Please let me know what your collecting interest are and I will come up with a list of things I have for you to choose from.

Thanks.

Bob

Also ...

"CONTEST PART II"

The first person who can find and post another picture of the same exact gopher trap from the internet or any other source, I will grant them a prize as well. But please be forewarned, I have searched and searched and have not been able to find one yet! I'm not even sure how old it is. Nor whether it was manufactured or a one of a kind. It appears hand forged, as there are no makers marks on it whatsoever. I would like to find out more about it if possible, and will reward the first person who can help me out! I may even start a new thread. But for the time being I would prefer to keep it "in the family."

Bob

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

diggummup ~

Thanks for understanding. I freaked out when you said "mole" trap. I really wasn't sure how to respond to it.

I would really like to see what you found on that "similar" one.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[diggummup]

diggummup ~

Thanks for understanding. I freaked out when you said "mole" trap. I really wasn't sure how to respond to it.

I would really like to see what you found on that "similar" one.

Thanks,

Bob

I should have said "vaguely similar"

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

diggummp ~

That's cool. I know what you mean by "vaguely similar." I have looked at so many pictures of various traps that I'm blurry-eyed. I recently sent an inquiry with pictures of it to some guy who collects traps. Hopefully he will be able to tell me more about it. It seems "manufactured." But I'm just not sure. I will post any additional information about it if/when I find any. In the meantime, the "Part II" contest is open until further notice.

Thanks,

SBB

 

[Goldwind]

gopher trap

Good work mojjax

 

[Goldwind]

SBB...check out...http://nebraskamaps.unl.edu/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=10700&idcategory=469
the object in the upper left of the pic looks like yours...pic too small to tell for sure...

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

SBB...check out...http://nebraskamaps.unl.edu/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=10700&idcategory=469
the object in the upper left of the pic looks like yours...pic too small to tell for sure...

Good research Goldwind. Bob may be interested in the book.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Goldwind ~

Yeah. That looks like the one. At last 95% close enough for me. I am going to order a copy of the book first thing in the morning. $18.00. Heck, who knows, I may even start collecting gopher traps.

Thanks a million. This qualifies you for prize number two. Let me know what your interest are and we'll figure out what you won.

Big Cy ~

Thanks for the enlargement. I had just zoomed in on it when posted.

Thanks again to everyone,

Gopher Bob

 

[Goldwind]

Thanks Cy
SBB..the spring looks longer...don't think it is yours..close...

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Goldwind ~

Pics below are for camparison. Image is close enough for me to purchase the book. I'm sure there are numerous other illustrations in the book, and one of them may be the exact one. I believe part of what you see on the book cover, and are calling the spring, is actually the hinge part. In case you didn't notice, on mine there are two little holes in the bottom of the front curved part, which are intended for the "spikes" to go into in case the gopher is missed. That way the spikes will seat into the holes and not get damaged or blunted. The whole design is quite clever.

SBB

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

GW ~

When you get a minute, please claim your prize. I ordered the book already. It should arrive in about a week. ($22.00 w/S&H - appx 300 pages). I will let everyone know what it contains. If it's a dud, then it will be goldwind's fault and will also be his prize. Lol

SBB

Product Details:

Pocket Gopher Traps A Collectors Manual(WD-18), , 8.5" x 11" , 1997, 309 pp, spiral bound paperback publication, Marsch, Rex E.: A manual written for those interested in both recent and antique pocket gopher traps manufactured in North Amaerica, with a special emphasis on their identification, design, and history. Includes background data or an overview of the history of each trap. Black and white photos and line drawings, copies signed by the author.

 

[mojjax]

Mojjax ~

Please let me know what your collecting interest are and I will come up with a list of things I have for you to choose from.

Thanks.

Bob

Also ...

"CONTEST PART II"

The first person who can find and post another picture of the same exact gopher trap from the internet or any other source, I will grant them a prize as well. But please be forewarned, I have searched and searched and have not been able to find one yet! I'm not even sure how old it is. Nor whether it was manufactured or a one of a kind. It appears hand forged, as there are no makers marks on it whatsoever. I would like to find out more about it if possible, and will reward the first person who can help me out! I may even start a new thread. But for the time being I would prefer to keep it "in the family."

Bob

Thank you for the contest . That's a neat looking trap !
my interests are - maps , old newspapers , any old paper item .

 

[Goldwind]

Thanks Bob...I don't need any rewards..I enjoy challenges and I didn't do well with the first one so I followed up on the second...hope the book has what you are looking for..good luck...gene