A buddy of mine sent me a pic of an antique trap that is a weird single spring trap that is about twice the size of a normal leather glove. I do not know how to post a pic. Is there someone I could forward a pic to that could post the pic to help me identify and figure out a value for the trap for my buddy. About to head to bed. Will forward the pic tomorrow if someone is willing to help out. Thanks Bryan Oeny

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Click this and follow the instructions.

I believe Uncle Ned used one of those to capture a jackoffisaur. I don't remember any mention of a brand on that episode...

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I had a trap just like that from Spain. I was in Spain when I got it. They were pretty common there.

So what is the Trap?

It come out of Europe. I was told that they were used to trap rabbits. Trail type set and caught them high enough to kill them. Rabbits were considered a real prize. There were cottontail type and hare. The hare were larger and heaver than our jackrabbits.

Gentlemen; That's what's known, amongst trap collectors, as a " Spanish Deer Trap ".

And that, I'm afraid, is about all I can remember Found in Spain and Portugal. Do they come in different sizes? Dunno. Can't remember. But, that one is definitely the standard size.

Sorry I can't be of more help. It's a loop I've been out of for about fifteen years now. And age is taking its toll on what goes on inside my head any more

Yep old style rabbit traps. In most parts of Europe they were made illegal decades ago thanks to the stump humpers. I know my grand father had a few similar to that, but I can't remember who they were made by and a lot of them were actually made by local black smith's in the slower times of work. Some patterns were similar to the many variations of the UK GIN traps.

Scuba; " Grell " was one of the biggest ever German trap makers. There was another, big, firm. But, again, my memory lets me down.

Grell though was like the German equivalent of Henry Lane. Massive outfit.

Its been to many years ago for me to remember much of it to be honest. well I remember stuff just probably not in the right context . My grandfather was more of a wires man than carrying heavy traps around but they did have their place in the arsenal for sure.

I think it falls in the" Gin trap" category.

The one I had was pretty weak, especially for its size. You could set it by hand with no problem. I gave it to Bridger Fur in Bridger MT to add to their trap display.

Ol' Smoke; " Gin Trap " is a very British term. You'd never call a Newhouse a 'Gin Trap'. Nor, I believe, would a German or Spaniard their traps.




Yep. Strange traps. I Think Gerstell may have mentioned them? But, yes; I only ever encountered 'unimpressive' springs on them.

Killing rabbits? I don't believe I've ever handled ~ or even heard of ~ one displaying the sort of punch one could imagine holding, much less killing a rabbit. And, as for deer? Dunno. Are deer prone to simply standing there, in shock, the moment anything touches their legs?

What's with the raised, fully enclosing pan surround? What's that all about? My guess is to stop stuff getting under that plate sized pan.

This trap has been somewhat of a side line enigma, to trap collectors, as far back as I was into collecting traps. I seem to recall hearing of someone who found them, still being used, in the mountains of Portugal, some thirty or more years ago. Wish to heck he'd asked what for!

Aha! A rare flash of lucidity there! Does not Gerstell refer to this trap in the light of a (Used as a) Turkey Trap?! Something about gluing bits of corn to the pan, with pitch? Brought in by Spanish immigrants. Adopted by earlier settlers?

Doesn't that make more sense? Plonk such a trap on the ground, undisguised. Pour some seed on the big pan. Wait till a long necked bird (Pheasant. Later turkey) comes along. Doesn't Need a powerful spring to hold and choke it.

Have we cracked it?

Either way; Yeah. Common enough trap. Valued, really, only as a beginners display piece.

I think Pest's Dad nailed it, kills big birds and anything else could pull out fairly easily, genius