Bear trap. (Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society)
Oops! Bear Trap Stunt Goes Wrong
It could have been a lot worse, but it still sounded like it was pretty painful. The scene began with a "Flying A" actor's foot caught in a bear trap, while filming in Santa Barbara, CA. That was supposed to happen. Then, another actor was supposed to release the trap.
But, oops! Something went awry, and the trap snapped close again and trapped the rescuer's hand. It then took four cowboy-actors to release his hand. Fortunately, no broken bones resulted. – Santa Barbara Morning Press, May 8, 1913