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F Reuthe Patent 1857 Double Barrel Animal Trap Gun

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,750.00 USD
F Reuthe Patent 1857 Double Barrel Animal Trap Gun
This is a very unusual and rare F. Reuthe’s patent double barrel percussion animal trap pistol. These scarce guns were made from the late 1850s to the early 1860s. To quote Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms, 9th edition: These novel arms of heavy all cast iron construction was designed solely as an animal trap gun and the existence of the handle on some models is an enigma as the gun was not designed as a hand held defense weapon. The principle of operation on all models is identical with two long barbed arrow-like devices protruding from above or between the barrels which acted as the triggering device. Bait was affixed to these barbs and when animal tugged upon it, the arm discharged. Markings cast in high relief on most models: F. REUTHE’S PATENT MAY 12, 1857.” Flayderman also later states that only several hundred of all models combined were produced with only a few examples remaining. This example with a handle and marked across the bottom, “F. REUTHE’S PATENT MAY 12, 1857” is in a .30 caliber in both barrels. Overall the firearm shows a deep aged original patina with excellent markings, all complete and mechanically functioning perfectly. Few of this type of animal trap guns have survived to the present as they were used in the wilderness and left set in all kinds of weather conditions. No doubt many were also simply lost because if it discharged once, the next animal could then come along and drag it and the left-over bait away, never to be recovered. This is an excellent and complete functioning example that would be terrific addition to a fur trapping display or any firearms collection. The piece shows two percussion cap spots which would have been struct by one hammer that would have been triggered by the two pronged spear like bate hook at the end. Antique Firearm requires NO FFL.