I believe the thought behind this trap was for beaver. The holes in the base would be to wire it to a tree. The bait, a green poplar was driven on the spikes of the pan. The bait had to be pulled, as this is the only trap I've seen that releases by pulling rather than being pushed. Has anyone ever seen one. There are no markings at all, but it was abviously very well built.

I believe that trap was made to catch predatory birds (hawks, owls, etc.) ; the base was nailed to a post, bait attached to the center/trigger.

I didn't think there. The add on conversion would then make sense say for beaver or fox (but not much). thanks for the input.

I have one and know of two others. I bought them off of a guy who bought them from the maker. I was told they were for beaver.

BIgmac2. I'm interested on how you came about yours and maybe about the other two you know of. I owned all of them, 8 or 9 in total and now my turning 80 this week, I'm cleaning out all my surplus, and theres a lot. Anyway I was hoping that someone may have come up with some info. I do know that all of the prototypes were laying by the shed at the time and I do know the maker. Too bad there were no markings on any of them and Bill died shortly after I bought them.

PM sent

Didn't come through.

I bought one from Tom Banks maybe ten years ago. At the show that Barry Bowers and Albert host. When a couple of my friends saw them they wanted one so Tom put me in contact with someone who I thought was the maker and had him ship it to them. It is a very unique piece. I understand it's not for everyone, but I like the odd stuff.

That all makes sence to me now. I thought someone ordered one for a antique museum out there but no one has been able to add any info at all. I did sell one to a Kris Fjeldsted here in Manitoba. He is a guru on old traps. He had his ideas on the springs being "borrowed" from some other trap but that was it. I checked to see if in fact there had been a patent registered but nothing. Thanks Tom Banks name rings a bell..

Yes that was either me or the owner of the museum. Can you at least tell me the makers name? I t would be nice to have that little piece of history before it becomes lost.

check PM. If it didn't come through I'll use this forum.

I received your PM and it is greatly appreciated. I hate to see any history lost. Thanks Jim

Appears that a couple of posters know the name and location of the fellow who created these traps. I think we would all appreciate sharing of those data.

That would be savvy's story to share.

Appologies to Cohunt. I didn't catch your post. The best info I can come up with these traps by personal contact with Bill, and bringing his obituary up on Google is, WILLIAM JOHN CONLEY was born Dec 5/1928 in Florida and with his family came to Canada in the very early 40's.At this time gold was booming in the area of Bissett Manitoba. They built a log homestead on Wallace Lake, 12 miles from there. His family trapped the area. Bill attended at University of Manitoba and became quite involved with the biology and wildlife station they had called Taiga Biological station .At this time the big push was to develope a quick kill body trap and thus Bill with help developed this trap. Approximately ten were made and some years later when I bought his much more functional conibears I also bought all of these (my weak moment) but they were so unique. Gold was always Bill's interest right up until he died April 19,2000. These traps are definitely different, with the pull rather than push trigger that is baited. A lot of though went into the design, but the fact they weigh 15 pounds each leaves a little to be desired. They are also fun to set as they have no safeties and when I've done it both hands and knees are involved. I have sold one on this thread and have three left. They are the last and only as I don't ever see someone copying them. I checked for patents and couldn't find any registered in Canada.