Traps

Single-armed iron traps. The mobile tread (which is missing in one of the traps) is made of wood or metal, and has a hook. The system of mechanical opening is in the arm: when the upper plate is lowered it opens two symmetrical pieces in the shape of the moving plate (which could be crescent-shaped, oval, quadrangular, etc.) where it was held in precarious balance with the hook. These traps have barbs. When the animal stepped on the base in search of the bait, it moved, causing the hook to fall. The force of the folding iron piece of the arm pushed up the two serrated pieces, trapping the animal by the foot or head.

This type of trap was used to catch wild mammals, ranging from small rodents to wolves and bears, depending on the size and strength of the mechanism. Traps were usually used not so much for hunting as for killing vermin that harmed crops and farm animals. It is a dangerous and unselective method and has been banned in Europe for over half a century.

Bibliography:

Leizaola, Fermín de. Burdina: Burdingintza eta forjaketa tradizionala : [Gipuzkoako Foru Aldundiaren Kultur Departamentuak Antolatutako Erakusketa] = Hierro : Ferrería y Forja Tradicional : [exposición...]. [San Sebastián]: Diputación Foral de Guipúzcoa, Departamento de Cultura, Educación, Deportes y Turismo. 1989. 49-50.