Game Keepers Accessory

[Feltwad]

Enclosed is a image of a Trip Wire Gun which was used by Game keepers to deter poachers This gruesome tool was fixed to post and allowed to swing to the left or right and placed to the side of a footpath or woodland ride, a wire was fastened to the trigger device and stretched across the path etc . When the person walked into the wire it swung the trap to the direction of the pull and released the mechanism and fired the gun . Most of these traps were position to fire below the waist thus crippling the person , it did not kill but most victims were crippled or died from blood poison. These traps were nearly all flintlock and also used in grave yards to deter grave robbers became illegal to use in 1827 it left many people badly injured but it is part of the heritage of the gun
Feltwad

 

[George]

Not only gamekeepers...

"THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
December 23, 1775
LONDON, Sept. 1.
A certain Governor, who so gallantly quitted his government to protect his Lady and children afloat, now lies open to a prosecution at law in this country, for placing stele traps and spring guns, without placing a public advertising to caution those who may come that way.
What a wretched piece of low cunning, and Scots revenge, when retreated from his government, to place a secret spring gun, where he durst not publicly act himself, to shoot some poor unoffending carpenter that might be so luckless to open the door”” O wretched subterfuge !"

Spence

 

[BrownBear]

Precursor to today's game cams. Might have been invented for night deer, but landowners love them.