I Absolutely Positively Never Ever Expected To Find One Of THESE

[lumbercamp]

WOLF TRAP

Actually, I have never mentioned the word wolf trap in discussing metal detecting. Bear traps I have, since they have been found here. People nowadays don't realize that, yes wolves did live in Pennsylvania years ago. The last wolf killed in this area was the mid 1880's. This trap could very well have been in the woods since that era.
I was detecting along a log slide looking for lumber relics and almost didn't detect where the trap was since it was grown up with blackberry canes. I found a small open spot and checked it and found the trap.
The jaw spread is 7 1/2". Evidently, one spring broke and a blacksmith attached a make shift spring. The other spring broke and he attached a strap of metal on the end.
The trap pan is too rusty and I can't make out any name on it. I will not attempt to open it as that could break the spring.

 

[ewcoinhunter]

Incredible, fantastic find. Congrats!

 

[traverdog]

Good to find it and put it away.

 

[Mr Tuff]

neat find MR TUFF

 

[czoom]

open it up. Try to get this thing working again. test it out on mail man. lol joking. Nice find.

 

[Deno]

That's cool, I would have hated to step on that thing when it was younger,
in shape and set.

 

[ActionGnome]

Very cool!

 

[Charlene]

Looks like its been there for quite some time. Intersting find for the area you're located in.

 

[Daedalus]

Those are very cool , I bet there are a lot of traps like this all over the North Country .

 

[kuger]

That is a very early hand forged trap,wont be any markings.They quit using teeth on them in the mid 1800's as they realized they were detrimental to keeping the animal caught

 

[kuger]

Very awesome find I might add!!!!

 

[OutBack Duo]

now that's an interesting find!

 

[riverrunner814]

Great find !!!!

 

[Woodland Detectors]

That's cool.

 

[ducktrapper]

Very cool, I collect old traps. Like the other guy said, probably no name on the pan, since the trap is hand-forged and likely predates factory trap manufacture.

I found my best arrowhead ever while setting a coyote trap in my own field.

 

[lumbercamp]

I'd never thought about it being hand made. I always clean up my iron with electrolysis. I may not do it on this. I like it in its rusty condition. The areas I dig are so rocky, nothing sinks in the ground. This trap was partially exposed and I could tell what it was before uncovering with one swing of my digger. This was found 2 1/2 miles up a run which would be a very short distance for someone to walk on a trap line.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Very cool find there lumbercamp! I used to "pick" bear traps in Northern Ontario years ago. I used to sell them to tourist and hunting lodges for dislay on their walls. Your's certainly is all hand made and is still very collectable even in that shape, though they are worth considerably more if they can open and close.

 

[zaxfire69]

Good thing you did not find your foot in it. That would have been a bad day. Cool to find a trap.

 

[capt1989]

Well it is certainly not something you are likely to find everyday... and that is why it is so neat! I like it a lot. WTG!!

 

[CrazySlasher]

That's gotta be one of the coolest finds I've seen posted. I love the coins, relics etc...but these types of finds give me goosebumps. I love thinking about the guy who may have put that out there a 100+ years ago.