historicalfirearms:Williams’ Patented Animal TrapFor when you absolutely have to kill everything in
historicalfirearms:Williams’ Patented Animal TrapFor when you absolutely have to kill everything in the burrow, it has to be the Williams Patented Animal Trap. James Alexander Williams of Fredonia, a small town in San Saba County, Texas, filed the patent for this slightly excessive invention in August 1882. Williams’ explains his invention in the patent description:“it consists in the combination of a suitable frame upon which a revolver or pistol is secured, a treadle which is secured to the front end of this frame, and a suitable spring and levers, by which the firearm is discharged when the animal steps upon the treadle.”Williams claimed that his invention had a number of benefits, not only was it likely to kill outright any small animal unlucky enough to encounter is but the report of the gunshot would alert the person who set the trap that it had been sprung.An 1847 Model Colt ‘Baby Dragoon’ similar to that featured in the patent (source)The patent drawing doesn’t explicitly specify the design of the ‘suitable frame” upon which to position the pistol is placed, although it does briefly describe the a transfer rod and treadle system, rather it protects the intellectual property of the idea behind it. As a result this means we get a very artistically rendered patent drawing with a delightfully detailed, but ill-fated, mouse. Williams does state that the trap is to be pushed well into the burrow. In the patent description Williams suggests some other possible uses for the trap: “This invention may also be used in connection with a door or window, so as to kill any person or thing opening the door or window to which it is attached.I am aware that burglar-alarms of various kinds have been used, and which have been connected to windows and doors in such a manner that the'opening of the window or door causes a pressure upon a lever which discharges a tire-arm; but in no case have the parts been arranged and combined as here shown and described.”Why the patent drawing artist, or Williams, decided to illustrate the design with what resembles an octagon barrelled, rammer-less Colt Baby Dragoon is unknown. Perhaps this was the artists only reference or perhaps Williams intended the trap to use old obsolete pistols - although the patent doesn’t state this. I’ve been unable to find any other references to Williams or his revolver animal trap. Sources:‘Animal Trap’, J.A. Williams, US Patent #269,766, 26 Dec. 1882, (source)You can also view the original patent via the US National Archives, here.If you enjoy the content please consider supporting Historical Firearms through Patreon! -- source link