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Widow lady...old traps

Posted By: NebrCatMan

Widow lady...old traps - 09/12/18 11:28 PM

Hey all, I have a widow lady who asked me if I wanted to buy her late husband's trapping supplies and traps. I told her I would stop by and look at what she has. She asked me if I wanted to just offer her a lump sum..... maybe a dollar a trap or so. She had no idea what the traps are worth. I said lets see what is there and go forward after I look. I won't take unfair advantage of her. I knew her husband. A fine and honorable man. And she is kinda shirt tail relation thru marriage to me. I did stop and there is probably 30 to 40 coon wire stretchers, a couple dozen mink and rat wire stretchers, and maybe 2 dozen wire stretchers the size in between . I saw a half dozen 330s and a couple 280 and then some 220. A bunch of 110 body grips. But the traps.... lots of old traps. Old jump traps about 1 1/2 size where there is no cross member frame with a dog. Just a wire type dog that flips over from the end of the trap. A bunch of victor 1 or 1.5 with a square pan with big letters. Some traps made in Salt Lake City in Utah. Maybe I saw Pioneer on the pan also. Lots of old looking #1.5s and #2 LS that are not welded but riveted and the pan is not welded on either. Most are on a 2 wooden stakes cable drowners. I did see some big #4 jumps and some #4 montys dog on. I did not dig into the pile.... just looked at some on top. I told her I will be back Saturday and we can sort them one by one. A few questions... should I leave the cable drowners and stakes on each trap and just wrap them tight. I want a few of the old traps that are unique and have never seen before. But I want to pay a fair price. I'll research more after I see what there is for sure. I know lots of old traps are worth not much but some are worth a little. She thinks many traps in this collection came from a man who trapped in my area during the depression. I knew him when he was in his 80's and I was in my teens. Kinda helped me plant the trapping bug in my head. I thought I would buy some oldies from her and help her sell the rest... either on here... craiglist.... other forums and webb sites. I'll have fun but a big project for sure!!
Posted By: NebrCatMan

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/12/18 11:33 PM

Betcha after I know and see what is there, I'll find a lot of answers in the trap collectors forum!!!!
Posted By: marathonman

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/12/18 11:39 PM

good for you that you are treating her fair...always good to see when a widow is looked out for by trapper friends..we all should be so lucky
Posted By: cablejohn

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/13/18 01:00 AM

A relative of mine told me a story about buying a Japanese ceremonial sword off a WW 2 veterans widow. Ha paid a hundred dollars and sold it for eight thousand. He is very knowledgeable about these and I've never spoken to him again!
Posted By: 330-Trapper

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/13/18 01:24 AM

Yes! Good for You!
Posted By: Tom cat

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/13/18 02:30 AM

Good on you for helping her out!!
Posted By: wissmiss

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/13/18 05:03 AM

I'm glad you are treating her fair. Some guys would have just paid a buck abpiece that she mentioned and made a killing when reselling them. I've seen that happen too often.

The Salt Lake City traps are original Bridgers. Not sure if they were made there but that is wjatnisvstamped on the pan.

You've got your work cut out for you. Good Luck and have fun. Can't wait to see what you find..
Posted By: warrior

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/13/18 02:38 PM

Good for you. I had something similar with the widow of the gentleman who taught me beekeeping. I took over and managed his bees for her after his passing for awhile. But I couldn't stop his children from a prior marriage from taking all his stuff. It was a sad situation.
Posted By: Gun Nut

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/13/18 09:32 PM

Much respect to you. I have a similar deal going with an old lady and guns. Not wanting to hi jack your thread so I will start another post. But good on you.

Gun Nut
Posted By: gryhkl

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/14/18 04:02 PM

Glad to hear you won't swoop in like some vulture and pick the woman's bones. Good for you!
Posted By: hippie

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/14/18 04:12 PM

She sounds like me when it comes to sellinmg something..........take them all and get them outta my hair and i'll make you a good deal. I also don't like dealing with a bunch of people.

Glad your gonna treat her right.
Posted By: Nittany Lion

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/14/18 07:43 PM

Hippie, let me know when you are ready to sell.
Posted By: BigJoe.

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/14/18 11:06 PM

If they total more than you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. You could always sell the ones you have no use for, for her. You would have more contacts in the trapping community.
Posted By: Broomchaser

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/14/18 11:32 PM

Tell her you will give 5 times her asking price and both of you take a gamble.
Posted By: Scout1

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/15/18 01:02 AM

If she is elderly and knows you well, it may offend her to not let her HELP you out. Not to be poking at elderly people, but some are like that. If she insists on a dollar each, I'd do it. If you ever sell any remember to give her a good portion. Always remember her come time for leaves, wood, or just to stop by and talk. But if she'll take your offer by all means help her out. She may realllllly respect you and may be looking at doing you a favor, let her. I don't know her situation but I'm sure you'll do what's right!
Posted By: hippie

Re: Widow lady...old traps - 09/15/18 05:10 PM

Originally Posted By: Nittany Lion
Hippie, let me know when you are ready to sell.


Now mind, when i sell i want to unload all 3 at the same time, so have your money ready! laugh
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