Antique bear trap question

gallen270

gallen270

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albert county, new brunswick
Not a gun question, but, this is where the forums mountain men hang out, so figured best place to ask,

I came into an old bear trap, it’s missing one of the two springs, squared, toothed jaws, about 14”x14” open. I want to hang it on my cabin wall and it would look like a beast opened up. Should I have my buddy weld it open, which is safest, or just wire it open for display, keeping it semi functional for value. I think wiring be pretty secure, I don’t have kids, kids don’t come here, drunks don’t hang out here, nobody comes inside unless I’m home.

Thoughts?
 
if you can wire it with something strong enough to keep it open if tripped go that way old bear trapps have a good bit of value now unmolested wire the jaws to a hardwood board of some kind
 
DEZ said:
if you can wire it with something strong enough to keep it open if tripped go that way old bear trapps have a good bit of value now unmolested wire the jaws to a hardwood board of some kind
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Thats may concern is value. My other thought, was a couple washers, bolt and nut through the spring eyes, I can grind the washer to fit, blue them, and even weld the nut in behind. Would be bomb proof, and can be removed by just cutting it off with a grinder.
 
A welder buddy could build a plate with a bar across the spring or the jaws so it can't be tripped. Either solid or a padlock clasp on it.

I'd want to make pretty sure that no accidents could happen.
 
Nice find. Even replica bear traps are worth a lot of money, I looked into it one time as I thought it would be a cool wall hanger, there was a company out of the US making replicas.
 
Won't really matter, once you pull back the springs and weld/ wire...or? In place, the springs will lose there " spring" , making it not worth much other then a display piece. But it will make stay that way...after away.
 
gallen270 said:
We decided to make a safety with a bolt and two pieces of flat bar, we could even tack the nut, it would have to be cut off, but leaves the trap unmolested. welding the trap is off the table.
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Sounds like a good idea, & you never know when you might have to replace that door bell?
 
Value would depend on whether it is a factory trap or blacksmith made. I have seen plenty of old blacksmith made traps built with just one spring but not a great deal of value except as a nice decor piece for the wall. Factory built traps are another story though prices have dropped somewhat due to the fact that trap collectors are literally dying off. Less demand equals lower prices. The really large factory traps(number 6) are rare and command premium prices. These are double spring and 48 inches in overall length built for grizzly and polar bears to a lesser extent. They were so large and heavy that survival rate is low. Many were left hanging in a tree by owners who for one reason or another never returned to collect them. Fifteen years or more back a buddy sold a no.6 Blake and Lamb in excellent shape to a US collector for 20,000 US. Not chicken feed but a super rare trap. And well heeled collectors like to have bragging rights.
 
Just remove the other spring, don't have it welded open just render it harmless when open. No springs.
 
Sounds cool , hopefully some thieves do not spot it hanging on the wall , and take a liking to it as bear traps have good resale value . I don't keep anything at the cottage anymore after having two outboard motors stolen . I even take the boat home for safe keeping when I am not there .
 
quinnbrian said:
Won't really matter, once you pull back the springs and weld/ wire...or? In place, the springs will lose there " spring" , making it not worth much other then a display piece. But it will make stay that way...after away.
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Huh? Just what position did you think those springs sit in, day in, and day out, waiting for something to step on the trigger plate? Here's a hint! In exactly the same position the lock device will hold them in!
 
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