Newsletter - 5

Featured Article
by Malcolm Hess

A Remarkable Find

While visiting my cousin, he tells me about his friend finding something obviously man-made sticking out of a tree.  Knowing that I am a trap and hunting nut, he thought I might be interested, and I was, so we made arrangements to meet John.

After arriving at John's house and initial introductions, we listened to his account of the find while he slurped coffee out of what appeared to be a quart size mug. "I was in the woods up on the hill when I found it" John said, "I nearly bumped into it while walking by a tree." At this point, he pulls out a brass looking object that turns out to be a F.C. Taylor 22 caliber "Fur Getter" set-gun (patent diagram). "It was screwed into the tree and I had a hell of a time gettin' it out. I didn't know what I found, but knew it had been there awhile" as he bends over slightly towards his kitchen wall showing us how high off the ground it was when he found it.  While inspecting it further, John was still unsure of his find. "I was cleaning it up with some fine steel wool and didn't realize what it was until I saw the words 'Taylor Fur Getter' and had someone looked it up online for me. Here I was rubbing away on that damn thing and it was still loaded and pointed at me most the time" as he chuckled and grinned.  I could see John was proud of his find and he never brought up the subject of value.

All cleaned up it appeared to be in pretty good condition for possibly being out in the elements in Northern PA for some seventy to eighty years. The brass components of the set-gun weathered the years a lot better than the steel parts which had moderate pitting over most of their surfaces.

After we left John's house, we were taking the short ride back to my cousin's. I'm still excited and absorbed in thought about the Fur Getter and what a find it was. I mean, what were the chances after all these years of finding something like that? How long had it been forgotten? Could there be more still out in the area? Who left it there? Why was it left there? How can I get John to relinquish the Getter to my care?

All these conundrums were buzzing around in my head when cousin Dave interrupts these ponderings with "man did you see the size of that coffee cup!?"

Note: The above featured article is a true incident; unfortunately, I haven't any pictures of the find. :-(
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Jokes of the Day

TGIF

A new lieutenant in the French Foreign Legion arrives at an isolated base in Algeria. As a corporal shows him is quarters, he asks the corporal, "The base is rather isolated, what do the men do for female companionship?"

The corporal replies, "On Fridays, they let us use the camels."

The lieutenant can't believe it. On Friday, he stands around the camel pen to see what happens. Suddenly, he hears the camp bugler blow a charge on his horn.

The ensuing chaos was amazing... men from all over the camp descended on the camel pens like huns attacking a village. Out of the swarm of men, the lieutenant sees the same corporal he met on his first day. He grabs the man by the arm. The corporal shouts, "Let me go! Let me go!"

"Good God man," said the lieutenant. "There are 200 men here and 500 camels. What's your hurry?"

The corporal replied, "I don't want to get stuck with an ugly one!"
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Man's Best Friend

The blind man was out walking with his seeing eye dog when suddenly the animal paused and wet the man's leg. Bending down, the blind man stretched out his hand and patted the dog's head.
Having watched what happened, a passerby said, "Say, why are you patting him? That dog just peed on your leg!"

"I know," said the blind man, "but I gotta find his head before I can kick his butt."

Coming Events

TUSCARORA  VALLEY  EXTRAVAGANZA
Swap meet and Memorabilia Show
Sept 16th & 17th, 2011
Tuscarora Valley Heritage Grounds
6201 Rt. 75 South
East Waterford, PA 17021
Contact for show - Terry Swartz (717)-536-3733
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TRAP  COLLECTORS  AUCTION
Saturday, Oct. 8th, 2011 at 10 AM
Clinton County Fairgrounds
Mackeyville, PA
Contact George Kapp - (570) 458-4384
More Info
Numbered Lots Sheet
Pics
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Join NATCA  (North American Trap Collectors Assc.)

Membership entitles you to 6 issues of our magazine "TRAPS", a membership directory, current patch, and membership card.

Our magazine "TRAPS" contains between 24 to 28 pages with each issue loaded with articles and pictures about everything from mouse traps to bear traps, collectible trapping paper, sporting collectible items as well as our “Trading Post” with loads of items For Sale, Wanted, and For Trade.  Each issue also con­tains a list of upcoming swap meets across the country.

JOIN NOW
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Q & A

Q:
I have a trap S. Newhouse No. 5 Kenwood, N.Y (pic1, pic2) can you give me info regarding age, value, etc.

A:
You have an early Kenwood NY #5 Newhouse bear trap that is probably around 120 years old. The trap appears correct with trip-hammered springs. It also has overall pitting, and considerable pan wear. As to value, in its present condition, $600. - $750.
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Q:
I have a double longspring Newhouse, the pan has a date Sept ? lOOKS LIKE 1811.  With #50 on the pan. It has cast jaws with teeth, any info will be greatly appreciated. Value . Thanks again.

A:
Sounds like you have a patent date Newhouse #50. Your trap was probably made between 1911 to approximately 1925.  The date on the pan should read "Sept. 26. 1911". Without seeing the trap, and the pan not being precisely readable would suggest that the body of the trap has some overall wear also. As to value, I would guess somewhere in the $500. to $700. range depending on correctness and ultimate condition.
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Send in questions to Q & A here.
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Links of Interest

Antique Mouse & Rat Trap Gallery

Gin Traps

The Old Trap Collector

Fur-Fish-Game Online Magazine

National Trappers Association

Trap Collectors Forum At Yahoo

Wolf Trap Comparison Page
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News

Seems like there have been a lot of country auctions lately with lots of collector traps.
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Newsletter Coming Attractions

Our next newsletter's featured article will be on Trap Patents.
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"I really enjoyed the article and pictures about your experience at the trap auction in PA.  Sounds like an auction I went to in the past, just didn't have any luck."


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Back Issues of Our Newsletter

If you missed our earlier newsletters, you can catch them here:

Newsletter-1, Newsletter-2, Newsletter-3, Newsletter-4,
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