Old trap, purpose and age?

[SorenCoins]

Hello there everyone! Hope you are all doing well and staying safe. I came across this trap the other day, I found it metal detecting a few years ago. I found it in Douglas County, Colorado. It has always puzzled me: how old is it, what was its purpose, etc? The only thing I know about it is that it’s an animal trap, but I know nothing more! Perhaps some of you may have dug these before and know a bit more about them than I do. Any thoughts!?




I appreciate any and all input anyone may have!

Thanks again to all, stay safe!

 

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[MKW]

It is called a Conibear trap. They come in different sizes and I don't think it's very old. I have used them on beaver slides. Basically, you set it in the water and the beaver slides in. That one is smaller than the ones I've used, but that's definitely what it is.

 

[firemanphob]

Yes modern trap. Used them all the time.

 

[piegrande]

It has been a long time, but when I was in high school, the Midwestern state I lived in paid 25 or 50 cents for each gopher you trapped. That was enough to motivate us to trap the rascals. That trap looked much like the traps we used. To get the money, we had to produce their ears in the county court house.

 

[Mudflap]

Used them in the 70s. looks like maybe a muskrat sized trap. The beaver conibears were fairly big and super strong. Like break your arm quick like !! grin

 

[DizzyDigger]

It's a #110 Conibear trap. Used for muskrat, mink, rats, etc.

Can be bought for $3.00 brand new.

 

[Clo]

Yep. Typical sizes are 110, 220, and 330. Yours does appear to be a 110.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I left the house one evening and happened to see my neighbors Dalmation sitting in the ditch. Looked odd so backed up and saw she was wearing a Conibear trap on her face. Got her in the neighbors house and it was all he and I could do to compress the springs and get it off of her head. I came back a couple of days later to check on her and when she saw me she rushed over to me. I got down on my knee and she about gave me a bath with her tongue, kissing me and going crazy. Dogs know when someone helps them. Gary

 

[charley2hats]

Yes I have used them a lot in Colorado. They used to trap beaver under water. Kills instantly , also for martin and wolverine although not very many wolverine now and I'm sure they are protected. Be carful if you try to set it because it will break your arm or hand, fingers ect. not very old popular in 60s 70s price around 25.00 or 35.00 back then I can tell from the picture it will still work. look up traps in North America and find more info Charley2hats

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I agree with Mudflap & DizzyDigger - muskrat & mink size trap.

 

[CrapOla]

Yup I used them to. Muskrats!

 

[Upnorth42]

That looks like a 110 conibear. It is one of the older type though. The newer if you can call them that type has rounded corners to keep the spring in place. The newer type was available to me 30 years ago so its not exactly new. I have not trapped in a long time but I still have the traps stored away some place.

 

[glass half fool]

If you look closely on the trigger ,the piece of metal with the 3 half moon notches in it .There may be name stamped on it That would be the maker of that trap Conibear is actually a brand name The name was used by The Victor Company that later became the The Woodstream Company that is now some Frank Conibear from Canada came up with the design of the trap And the Victor Company began producing them in the late 1950's