Product Sections

All our stock is old, original, in excellent order and ready for use. We carry no modern or reproductions. We welcome your telephone calls +44 (0)1488 682317 or by email to hofgartner@belowstairs.co.uk for further information on any of the catalogue items or your other requirements or if you have any difficulties ordering through our system.



French Lark Lure T120
French Lark Lure T120
Original, quality late 19th century continental Lark Lure. This most unusual item turned in boxwood has brass mounts and the top rotating mount in fruitwood is inlaid with faceted stones and small mirror discs. The spiked boxwood stem will unscrew into two parts making three pieces, easily disguised in a poacher's pocket. The stem is pushed into the ground and the mirrored part sits on top of the square lug and two lenghts of string would be fixed to the brass neck. The gun would hide in the undergrowth and if the wind was not moving the mirrored part, the string can be pulled back and forward. Apparently, the stones and mirrors when moving, will attract the Skylarks down to investigate only to be shot for food. Some mirrors have been replaced with modern cut-to-size and the brass has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. The top mount with the mirrors is marked depose,' French for Registered. All is now complete and in good and working order.

Assembled 22.5" x 11" x 2".

 
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Price: £365.00


Glass Flytrap T119
Original, quality late 19th century free blown clear glass fly trap with an inverted funnel, an applied top collar to the neck and three applied feet to the base. These were baited with a sweet liquid to the inside to attract flies and wasps and used mainly in the kitchen. The insects become intoxicated and drown in the liquid. Complete and in good order.

7" tall x 6" diam including the feet.

 
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Price: £68.00


Glass Flytrap T119



Anglo Impassable Mole Trap T118
Anglo Impassable Mole Trap T118
Original, quality, blacksmith made wrought iron and cast iron mole trap. These traps, manufactured from 1888 to the 1940's, were very effective having a strong spring and sensitive trigger. This example has been cleaned and lacquered and is complete and in good order.

19" long x 6" x 5".

 
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Price: £115.00


Glass Fly Trap T117
Original, quality late 19th century free-blown glass fly trap with applied top collar and feet to the underside. Difficult to date these but it could be much older. Complete and in good order.

6" tall.

6.5" diam.

 
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Price: £68.00


Glass Fly Trap T117



Poachers Alarm T116
Poachers Alarm T116
Original, quality late 19th century blacksmith made wrought iron and cast iron poachers alarm. This was loaded with a blank 12bore cartridge, staked in the undergrowth and wired to a trip wire and when tripped by an unsuspecting poacher, the weight was released to drop on the firing pin to set off the blank cartridge. A replacement cap with the firing pin has been made to suit and all has been cleaned and lacquered and is now complete and in good and working order.

35" tall.

3" x 2".

 
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Price: £265.00


Glass Fly Trap T115
Original, quality circa 1900 / 1920's freeblown clear glass fly trap with an inverted funnel, an applied top collar to the neck and three feet to the base. These were baited with a sweet liquid to the inside to attract flies and wasps and used in the kitchen mainly. The insects became intoxicated and drowned in the liquid. Complete and in good and working order.

7" tall.

5" widest.

 
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Price: £65.00


Glass Fly Trap T115



Glass Minnow Trap T112
Glass Minnow Trap T112
Original, quality late 19th century freeblown glass minnow trap. These were used in fresh water to trap minnows and other small fish, to be used for live bait to catch pike or perch. This example has a deep hole to the base and a good applied top collar to the neck. Complete and in good and working order.

12" x 5" base diam.

 
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Price: £85.00


Wrought Iron Egg Set Trap T108
Original, quality late 19th century blacksmith made wrought iron 'D' shaped mammal trap set with an egg to trap foxes, crows and other predators. This good example has a strong leaf spring, 'D' shaped jaws and a brass catch and mount to take the egg bait. The catch is stamped "H. Lane Maker". All has been cleaned and lacquered and is complete and in good order. Hard to find these traps today.

Base 8" diam.

4.5" tall not set.

 
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Price: £385.00


Wrought Iron Egg Set Trap T108



Wooden Mouse Trap T100
Wooden Mouse Trap T100
Original, quality, wooden 'Free Kirk' mouse trap in beech, circa 1900 / 1920's. The arm protruding from the end flap is set lightly under the bait hook wire, when the bait is disturbed the end flap is released and snaps down under the influence of the tension spring. No worm holes and in super condition, complete and in good and working order.

5.5" x 1.75".

2" tall.

 
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Price: £56.00