Info needed: Taylor Fur Getter
Folks,
I am trying without much success to find detailed information on the F.C. Taylor Fur Getter and other like 'set guns' used by trappers many years ago. F.C. Taylor Fur Company sold the Fur Getter and another version called the Sure Shot and there were other guns of that era that worked along the same principle....used trip wires to trigger them, etc. Hopkins&Allen made such a gun and Mossberg actually made the Taylor Fur Getter. I have ran search after search and found very little real info. Can anybody shed any light on these types of curio guns or any reference books on them. Thanks.
I am trying without much success to find detailed information on the F.C. Taylor Fur Getter and other like 'set guns' used by trappers many years ago. F.C. Taylor Fur Company sold the Fur Getter and another version called the Sure Shot and there were other guns of that era that worked along the same principle....used trip wires to trigger them, etc. Hopkins&Allen made such a gun and Mossberg actually made the Taylor Fur Getter. I have ran search after search and found very little real info. Can anybody shed any light on these types of curio guns or any reference books on them. Thanks.
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These types of firearms- often called alarm, set, or trap guns- are a little know field in firearms collecting. As a matter of fact these guns were not intended from the outset (200 years ago) for use by trappers. The original versions, which were English flint lock types, were first used to give a nasty surprise to poachers and grave robbers. By 1827 the use of such trap guns in England (where they were called "spring guns") for any purpose was banned. Both the German's and French marketed such trap guns- usually pinfire type- in the 19th century (called the "chicken thief gun" in France).
There were large numbers of trap guns made in the United States starting just before the Civil War. One of the more popular makers was F. Ruthe of Hartford, Connecticut. Ruthe's traps were .28 to .50 caliber and had barrels from 2-1/2" up to 5". These mean items had a gun and an actual trap built into the same device. the idea was to grab ahold of the animal's neck in the trap's jaws and then blast him a fraction of a second later with the firearm itself. OUCH!
Your gun was patented by C.D. Lovelace in June of 1914 under patent #1,098,742 and marketed under the name Taylor Fur Getter, F.C. Taylor Fur Co., St. Louis, MO. There were two types; one was .22 caliber and the other was 10 gauge. the .22 has a brass barrel and brass frame and it anchored with a wood screw. The 10 gauge has a steel barrel and bronze frame and is anchored by a long heavy steel pin. The Fur getter was cocked by pulling the striker straight back and fired by pulling the bait rod forward. The barrel was removed for loading by turning the bent handle of a retaining pin. As more and more American's got leasure time and took to wondering through the woods for relaxation, these trap guns became, shall we say, less than popular with outdoor types across the United States. Too many folks were shot and these devices were soon banned in most locations.
There is not much information in print on these types of firearms. I have a reference library of several hundred firearms books and trap guns are few and far between. English Guns and Rifles, by J.N. George has a good reference on the English versions. Gun Collecting, by Charles E. Chapel (1937 edition) makes a very brief mention of them. Your best source might be Firearms Curiosa, by Lewis Winant (1955) which has a small chapter on trap and alarm guns. Beyond that I can't locate anything else and don't have the time to pull down another 300 books for a look.
Mark T. Christian0 -
I have been a trapper and fur buyer for a lot of years and I have found the most knowledgable folks about this topic to be 1.Hal Sullivan-- sullivansline.com 2.The gentelmen that runs Sterling Fur Co. Sterling Ohio 330-939-3763,he is most likley to have the best idea as to value he is an avid collector. And an honest man. 3 And of course you can contact F C Taylor Fur Co.330-wfw-5023 Seville Ohio. Hope this helps. Best Wishes for a good holiday. 0 -
folks,
thanks for the very informative responses and said information is the most I have seen thus far. I have ran search after search under every guise I can imagine and so far have come up empty handed. The ATF site mentions several of these guns but little else. I bought a Fur Getter from a widow woman, and evidently, her late husband had done some research because she included a copy of Lovelace's patent drawings with the Getter. Being deceased, it is impossible to ever know what he learned or where he gleaned his information as well.
I will do my best to find copies of the reference works you mentioned Mark (that will be an adventure in and of itself!) and read what is available.
I will also contact Hal and see what he can share with me.
Back in my youth (he-he!) I trapped fur every year but the bottom dropped out when the Liberal's demonized wearing fur and that was that.
I searched for 10 years until I found a Fur Getter for sale and it is pristine and a very low serial number. I wouldn't sell it for 10X what I paid for it, but would like to further my knowledge on these curiosites and who knows, may eventually find something else......somewhere.
I will add this, NEVER give up your search for an item, investigate every lead, and be persistent. It pays off eventually.0 -
I just recently inherited a 1914 Taylor Fur Getter. I have been researching it for days and have not been able to find what the gun is worth. Do any of you know what it is worth in today's market? I have had several offers but have been hesitant to sell because I don't know it's value. Also, since it is over 100 years old do I need to sell it through an FFL?
Thank you in advance0 -
quote:Originally posted by beeaav
I just recently inherited a 1914 Taylor Fur Getter. I have been researching it for days and have not been able to find what the gun is worth. Do any of you know what it is worth in today's market? I have had several offers but have been hesitant to sell because I don't know it's value. Also, since it is over 100 years old do I need to sell it through an FFL?
Thank you in advance
That guy on You Tube, who has the "Forgotten Weapons" site. Works with a number of the larger U.S. firearms auctions. He would be the best one to contact, regarding your Taylor Fur Getter. I'm sure a number of these, have passed through those auctions ove the years.0 -
I think they are in the blue book, or similar devices. Pre 1898 or whatever is the magic number. My dad and uncles used one with great success back in the 20's. Ammo was expensive and they only used it to harvest the smarter bait stealing varmints. 0 -
Beeaav- if a firearm uses loose powder and ball, OR if it was made before 1-1-1899, it is an ANTIQUE firearm, and does not need to go thru a FFL (except I think NJ, which is just .... New Jersey) Being made in 1914 does not make it an antique.
Here is some info if you do not already have it-
http://www.guns.com/2012/07/23/set-guns-aylor-fur-getter-sure-shot/0
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