Hi folks, I joined to ask about this old trap. It’s a relic but I was thinking about repairing some of the damage for a wall hanger. I think it’s for wolf.

Looks like an oldie for sure. I see the jaw rivet is popped and it would not hurt the value if you did a decent fix on it. Looks like maybe some of the horseshoe shaped frame is gone. I probably would not fix that unless you are a very talented blacksmith.

I would not pay to have the work done either, the proper fixing of it would be far in excess of what the trap is actually worth.

Hard to tell how big it is but I would guess around two foot long? Some traps of the exact same design can go all the way up to about five foot in legnth and would have been used for seals most likely.

I would guess your trap was made in Europe and sent over to North America as a trade item probably dating to the 1700 hundreds.

Anything made of steel and done by hand like that really intrigues me. I would love to have that one hanging on the wall! I wouldn't do anything except try to pin the jaw back in.

Balddog,

That is a square-base gin known as a Ringwood Frame Otter Trap made near Dorset England from 1750s through 1800s. Many of these were shipped to Newfoundland/Nova Scotia for coastal trapping.
I have 2 very good examples from Newfoundland; if you pm me your email, I will send pics.

Thank you for all the responses. The spring is 15 inches and still very strong. With an overall length of 23”.,Its a real neat piece. I received it from my father in Labrador.
I would like to fix the frame and repin the jaw ( it has been done once in the traps life as there is a very rusty Flat head on the other end by the spring. The frame break has a good close fit on each end and looks repairable. I dont expect a useable repair but something to hold it in place for display. Maybye some rust colored epoxy would hold it in place.