Manufactured by F. C. Taylor, these were originally invented by Charles D. Lovelace of San Angelo, Texas, who was granted patent number 1,098,742 on June 2nd, 1914. In Lovelace's patent description it states, "My invention relates to that character of fire arms designed to be set in the haunts of wild animals to be fired by the animals for self destruction." An example is photographed and described on pages 120-121 of the book "Firearms Curiosa" by Lewis Winant. To load, the pin is unscrewed, allowing removal of the barrel for loading from the rear. To cock, the striker is pulled backwards, and to fire, the hooked bait rod mounted below is pulled forward by an animal attempting to grab bait placed on the end of the hook. Marked "TAYLOR FUR GETTER./F.C. TAYLOR FUR CO. ST. LOUIS. MO." on the left side of the frame and "PAT'D JUNE 2 1914/OTHER PAT'S PENDING" on the right side of the frame.

Very fine, the untouched brass shows a very attractive, lightly aged patina overall with crisp markings. The iron components show an aged grey-brown patina. A small portion of the cocking rod is absent. Mechanically excellent.