Please help

I am wondering if there’s any thoughts on an approximate age of this trap. It was found in a fallen tree 26’ from the base at the first fork in the tree.

I’m not an expert by any means, but would guess a #2 or 3 Victor, both of which are double long spring style traps.
If I’m right, there would be another spring and probably some chain & wire embedded in the wood. Most likely scenario would be someone trapping for coons when the price began to go up on our “coat type” skins in the early to mid ‘70’s. Coon got caught by the back foot, pulled loose from whatever the trap was tied to, climbed the tree, got tangled and escaped (or not).
The guy came back, looked for the trap and catch awhile and gave up without ever thinking to look up. A tree can grow a lot in 40-50-60 years.
#1.5, 2 and 3 long spring traps were notorious for creating many “ Ole Nub Foot” and “Old Three Legs” coons. Those traps were all that lots of young trappers (and some older guys too) had to use, and the ones who didn’t have some guidance from a mink trapper or someone else with experience had to learn stuff the hard way. All they knew was to add some wire to the chain, tie to something solid, and hope for the best. Most of them had never heard of a drag or drowning set in those days unless they had been around an experienced mink trapper. Lots of them learned that there was a long ways between catchin’ and skinin’ before very much good information began to be shared.
What part of Texas you live in?

Thanks for your input. It’s kind of what we thought regarding the scenario of the animal breaking loose and escaping into the tree. I was metal detecting with my 9 year old and we came across it. I’ve cut it out of the tree and made a nice little display piece. We’ve found shotgun stamps from the early 1900’s on the property so there’s been some activity in the area for some time. I live in Bullard south of Tyler. Thanks again for your help.

It saddens me to think that the guy who didn't look up died of old age, not knowing that he beat the snot out of the neighbor kid for stealing his trap for no reason.
Probably went something like, "Boy, I know you did it. Don't lie to me. The only thing I hate worse than a thief is a liar!"

Very Cool display piece. Figure a way to mount it as a display piece. I would love to find a Treasure like that.

Welcome to T-man! I live abt 45 min N of Tyler and do some beaver removal jobs down your way. If you are a trapper, I’d like to send you some information about the Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association. If you’re interested, check our website, send me a personal message here on T-man with your address, or call me at 903-850-5394. My name is Don.

Neat pic...here’s what I think happened....trapper hung his trap in the tree after the season was over....”I’ll leave it here for next season.... no one will ever find it.”

Very nice looking display piece

very nice

Would be a awesome bar table stand.

Great piece of craftsmanship, nice job

Thanks guys. It was nothing. A little chainsaw, grinder, sander. I think it’s cool. I love the history and speculation involved. It’ll be a conversation piece that allows me to tell a different story every time. Lol

Cory,

Great looking display. If I'm not mistaken there was a picture of a Newhouse single spring, in one of the old Harding Publication, that had a limb that grew around it. I believe it may have been STEEL TRAPS..

Quite a findable!

Muskrat Love

That's a piece of art, very well done.

Thank you. It was nothing really. My first attempt at chainsaw carving.

Muskrat Love, Here is the photo you are referring to. This on is from a 1913 Oneida Community catalog.

Snakecollector,

THANK YOU!

I was hoping that you'd jump in here...... I figured you knew what I was talking about, and would have the actual publication it was in. Great picture, but Corys got the real deal.

Muskrat Love

Based on how thick the jaws seem to be I'd say no more than about a hundred years and probably less. The jaws don't look like the thicker cast jaws of a Newhouse or some of the earlier Victors and such. I think it was in the 1920's that the first jaws made from thinner metal first entered the market. Thanks for sharing!