What is this?

Tom Gordon

The blank cartridge goes in and the brass bit with the firing pin in the middle screws on to hold it in. There is one hole on the other end and also one on the side. The arm is sprung to hit the outside end of the firing pin.

Andy Burr

Hi Tom,

I belive it is old an “Alarm mine” or trip wire device. They are used to deter poachers or to warn of their presence around release pens, rearing woods and commercial fisheries.

It is set by fixing the housing to a post or tree and setting a trip wire across the area to be protected. It is vey simple to use, the mechanism is sprung when the trip wire is snagged and sets of the blank with bang.

Tom Gordon

Very similar but they typically use a 12 bore shotgun cartridge with the shot removed. This is a .32

oldbiscuit

Tom, Is the arm spring loaded? Also does the firing pin protrude out the back when it’s loaded? You say it’s a 32 cal? Could you post more pictures from other views,Thanks:8):

Tom Gordon

Yes the arm is spring loaded-you can just see the sprung bar that pushes it. Yes the firing pin sticks out the back when the blank is inserted. It is difficult to get any more useful pictures though.