Mystery gun thing???

[robinghewitt]

Found a pair of these in Michael Long's catalogue, they reckon it's an alarm gun you tread on.

Sounds unlikely, but if not that, then what is it?

A mouse trap?

 

[bezoar]

Could be a trap for say large sewer rats, stray dogs, raccoons, etc. But most likely an anti burglar device that were popular in the 1800s. Best way to tell a burglar "NO" was a nice blast of buchshot in the face.

 

Yes, Robin, that's exactally what it is. It's a window alarm. They still make them, and they can be found in the Dixie gunworks catalog for about fifty bucks. They got info on how they operate, in there as well. Guess it would do a good job of wakeing the household, as well as curing a burglers constipation. :crackup: Bill

 

[bezoar]

The sad thing is, its rather illegal to use now. modern times sure suck for the honest man trying to keep people out.

 

[OldNo7]

I understand why some folks lament the demise of these interesting contraptions. Heck, when I was a kid, there was a business near my aunt's that had a large neon sign in the window: "Trap Guns Set". We always wondered about that sign, and some other business owners in the same town were rumored to wire their chain-link fences to high-amperage/low-voltage power lines. Sorta like a cattle fence on steroids!!!

The very real problem with these "trap guns" or "window guns" is while they are intended to keep the bad guys out... What in the heck do you do when you're not there, and there's a fire and the GOOD GUYS in the fire department try to come in through that door or window?!?!?! Huh???

That, my friends, is how we learned that the rumors about the "electric fences" were true. Luckily, the brave firefighter was not seriously injured. The business, I'm afraid, was a total loss. Of course, the eagerness of the fire crew to extinguish the flames -- after they had witnessed their brethren getting zapped -- had nothing to do with the outcome...

'Course not... :thumbsup:

Be safe out there.

Old No7

 

[jim gray]

What caliber is it? It sure does look like something that would be mounted on a window sill or door jamb. I think it would be legal for use as an alarm, but not a ****y trap. I'm sure that you would find yourself in a court of law as well as a civil court if any poor, unfortunate burglar was actually injured by your use of such a device.

I wonder if the electrifed fence was in anyway related to the fire?

 

[RedFeather]

If I remember right, the catalogue says to use a blank charge. Here's a real story. About thirty years ago in Hawaii, a prominent gun collector was burglarized and lost some of his pieces. Thinking the thief would return, he rigged a handgun to the back door with a trip wire. Sure enough, the rapscallion ventured in and KERBLAM got hisself potted, though not fatally. The judge was none too pleased with Mr. Collector and gave him a fine and sentence. I remember reading about this in the paper, particularly how the judge didn't like the idea that a fireman or police officer could just as easily been shot while trying to save the collector's life.

 

[2172]

Y'all remind me of a gas station owner who got sick of being burglarized...he went into the hills and picked up a half dozen rattlers...put a sign in the window.."6 rattlers loose inside"...it worked ....Hank

 

[jim gray]

If I remember right, the catalogue says to use a blank charge.

I looked it up in the catolog, and that's what it says alright. SquireRobin's looks a little different than the catolog picture, but I'm sure the principle is the same.

 

[musketman]

Guns like this were also used in tombs to help stop robbers, however, this is a window gun...

As the window is lifted, the arm is raised and trips the sear, firing the charge into the chest/face of the would-be thief...