Trap pistol

Object/Artifact

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Trap pistol

Entry/Object ID

SS.61.1

Description

Animal trap, percussive: two short octagonal cast iron smoothbore barrels, of c. .32 caliber, with nipples for use of percussion caps at breeches; flank central unit; central unit contains, at forward (or "barrel") end, harpoon-like two-partite hook, with steel pin at rear of its shaft, preventing its progress beyond central "barrel"; sliding above pin of hook shaft, channel led steel block, mounted beneath steel spring, cocks flat plate above nipples, through barbed steel shaft; at rear, long bolt with large eye threaded into central block; cast into barrels and block, at bottom: "Hartford, Connecticut, F. Reuthe, Patent May 12, 1857."

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

F. Reuthe

Attribution

Maker

Date made

1857

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

See description

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Width

3 in

Length

20 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 3 x 20 in. (7.6 x 50.8 cm)

Dimension Description

Overall

Length

5-1/4 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)

Material

Cast iron, Steel

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Details of Condition: Cleaning and minor repairs required. Otherwise, apparently operational.

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

Miscellaneous: Harpoon-like hooks baited; animal pulling at bait discharged both barrels (loaded with charge of powder and ball, and fired by percussion caps) simultaneously. Trap apparently secured by eye at end of terminal bolt. Similar trap guns used, particularly in England, but also in America, as anti-burglar weapons, being discharged by the pull of a string accidentally tripped.

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Sunnyside, No Location