Trap and Trap-Sack
Apr 7, 2013 13:25:46 GMT -7
Post by beaudro on Apr 7, 2013 13:25:46 GMT -7
The Ruxton book already turned up something I've been looking for...
"His next visit was to a smith's store, which smith was black by trade and black by nature, for he was a n...., and , moreover celebrated as being the best maker of beaver-traps in St. Louis; and of him he (LaBonte) purchased six new traps, paying for the same twenty dollars-procuring, at the same time, an old trap-sack made of stout buffalo skin, in which to carry them." Life in the Far West-- George F. Ruxton.
This is likely the maker of the 5lb St. Louis trap that shows up so often. It is mentioned more than any other trap and probably the most desired , at least for the western trade, Newhouse would come later on in history.
The trap-sack isn't anything new, but it's more clear in this quote that it's made of buffalo skin. This has been tried , even with heavy hemp canvas, and it still didn't work....even a good tow-sack rips pretty soon ,,, I think I got pictures to prove it, but with the huge amounts of buffalo hides these guys had access too, buffalo hide would be the thing for a trap sack regardless.
Here's the 5lb St. Louis trap, from the MOFT...
"His next visit was to a smith's store, which smith was black by trade and black by nature, for he was a n...., and , moreover celebrated as being the best maker of beaver-traps in St. Louis; and of him he (LaBonte) purchased six new traps, paying for the same twenty dollars-procuring, at the same time, an old trap-sack made of stout buffalo skin, in which to carry them." Life in the Far West-- George F. Ruxton.
This is likely the maker of the 5lb St. Louis trap that shows up so often. It is mentioned more than any other trap and probably the most desired , at least for the western trade, Newhouse would come later on in history.
The trap-sack isn't anything new, but it's more clear in this quote that it's made of buffalo skin. This has been tried , even with heavy hemp canvas, and it still didn't work....even a good tow-sack rips pretty soon ,,, I think I got pictures to prove it, but with the huge amounts of buffalo hides these guys had access too, buffalo hide would be the thing for a trap sack regardless.
Here's the 5lb St. Louis trap, from the MOFT...
