|
Meeker's
Mechanical Nature Antiques |
Larry and Carole Meeker Purveyors of Americana Patented & Mechanical Antiques |
www.AntiqBuyer.com LCM@AntiqBuyer.com 530-620-7019 |
Mouse / Rat & other Small Animal Traps
Past Sales Archive
This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.
We can help you sell quality Antiques Contact Us.
For further info on consigning / selling your antiques
with us please see our FAQ page,
the
Appraisal / Selling Page and the
Selling
Your Collection Pages.
Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.
Evan's
Patent 1877 Fish / Mouse Traps These early
fish traps were originally offered for sale by the Eagle Claw Co. the famous fish
hook Co. and are commonly referred to by that name. They are becoming very difficult
to find, but presented here are both of the smaller sizes that are available.
First is the smallest version offered, and it measures in at just 3 inches without
the ring. It is in superb condition and everything operates as it should.
It is marked "Pat Apl 17-77". It also says "G. W. Evans and Son
Frankfort, PA". The larger trap measures just about 4 inches without
the ring and it is marked the same way. The trip wire on this trap may have
been replaced as it is a different material than the wire on the small one.
There is also some visible solder at the joint where the arms attach, but everything
is tight and operates as it should, although it is very sensitive and somewhat harder
to set.
Walker
Patent Mouse / Rat Trap The Walker Mouse
Trap is one of the most desirable and sought after of all cast iron mouse traps
that was offered for sale and patented in the United States. It has a
unique style and look, and is a very difficult trap to find. This example
is missing the mirror which would be inside the
igloo shaped body of the trap. The idea being that the mouse / rat, on his way
by, would see his reflection, become curious, and take a better look inside to
see who that was inside that was staring out at him. If he was dumb
enough to go there, he would probably also take the bait hanging inside, and
WHAP!! the double pronged spear would drop down finishing off the little
critter. This one seems to have been lost and forgotten over the years in
a not ideal storage place as there is considerable rust and pitting to the
body. The patent info on the back side is still readable and there are no
breaks in the casting, but it is rusted. The prongs are original and
rusted as well. The brass spring on the spear has deteriorated and is in
several pieces, making the operation somewhat sluggish.
1842
Patent Model of Rat Trap Ebenezer Oliver of
Philadelphia, PA pulled a patent for this trap on Oct. 22nd 1842. His patent
model is a prime example of why collecting these interesting pieces of
Americana is so much fun, and such an enlightening look back into the way it
was. Ever since man first thought of trapping or ridding himself of pesky
varmints like mice or rats the race has been on to develop or invent the
"better mousetrap". This fellow's novel idea, while admittedly borrowing upon
an already known cage like affair, went a few steps further, and was way ahead
of his time and probably an inspiration to the Rube Goldberg's of a different
era. Ebenezer's idea allowed for several different initial access points, and
then through a series of spring loaded and revolving one way doors, the poor
creature, who was just looking for a bite to eat, was literally pushed into and
through the one-way door and thus captured alive in the central area. His
momentum of falling through the trap door actually re-set the trap so it was
ready for use on one of his relatives who was following close behind. The
patent papers describe in detail the events and scenario leading up to the
capture, but in the end you are left to deal with a cage full of trapped rats
to dispose of as you deem fit. Perhaps he was against the death penalty, even
for rats.
1872
Patent Model of Folding Trap I have never seen
this trap and although there are similar ideas that were produced i doubt
this one ever was. It was designed as a live trap to be set in a run
in or near the water. It would work when the critter was on his way in
or out. Different!
Chasse
Patented 1903 / 04 Mouse Trap This one looks
to have never been used. A better idea that never caught on.
"The
Unique" Patented Glass
Fly Trap This use to be a pretty rare
and hard to find fly trap. Then about 10 years ago similar ones started
showing up on eBay, first just a few that brought big bucks, then when it
slowed down dozens. We went into a shop in IN one day and saw a small
mountain of them. They were new, or being imported into the country by
the boatload. The market was flooded, and real US made patented ones
like this were no longer "Unique". Why pay $400 when you can get a purple or
green one for $9.00. This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.
We can help you sell quality Antiques Contact Us.
For further info on consigning / selling your antiques
with us please see our FAQ page,
the
Appraisal / Selling Page and the
Selling
Your Collection Pages.
Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.
This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.
We can help you sell quality Antiques Contact Us.
For further info on consigning / selling your antiques
with us please see our FAQ page,
the
Appraisal / Selling Page and the
Selling
Your Collection Pages.
Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.
This website is Copyrighted
(1998 -
2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker