BOW TRAP FOR MOLES AND VOLES
presumably early 20th century

Up until the 20th century, mice and moles were frequently “hunted” by so-called mole catchers. Commissioned and paid by property owners, they pursued their prey with various traps, for example, the bow trap or noose. When the animal touched a trigger mechanism, a wire snare was pulled up by a previously bent branch and the animal was strangled.

The bow trap with a board shown here is a further development of this trapping technique. The way it worked was the same, but it could be moved more quickly to other spots, increasing the trapper’s efficiency. The noose for the mouse and mole can be seen well in the picture. All that is missing is the small wooden lever to trigger the trap.

Material Wood and iron
Origin Loan of the Heimatvereinigung Buch-Hemishofen-Ramsen
Dimensions H: 33 cm W: 7.5 cm D: 27 cm