I see where folks ask about standing bear traps, so I thought I would talk about these collectable traps and some trapping related Items. The standing bear symbol is actually a trade mark that is registered through the U.S. patent office. These were registered on Feb. 13, 1912, and the stamp was used only for a short time. There are two types of standing bear stamps, the American bears and the Canadian bears, also know as dancing bears. I've seen American bears on most of the smaller traps that were made after 1912 with the exception of 0's. I have never seen American bears on any thing bigger than a No.4. I own two jump trap setters with American bears. The Canadian bears look different than the American bears. I believe they're more ornate and can be found on the same sized traps as the American traps, but the Canadians also put the stamps on 4 1/2 O.C. traps as well as No. 50 and 150 O.C. bear traps. When looking at used traps always look over every inch of the trap even though the traps technically shouldn't have bears on the springs, because as you know trappers sometimes change parts. I have 3 photos first on is American bears, second is Canadian bears and third on is a jump trap setter. Greg

Greg,

I am confused about something you said in your post. Towards the end you say "though the traps trchnically shouldn't have bears on the springs". Would you care to explain what you mean by that statement.

Thank you.

BTW - very nice, informative post.

Nancy

I read it that some traps might have the springs with bears because someone put the bear springs on a trap that normally wouldn't come factory that way.

cascade you said canadian bears are on OC traps
they are also found on patten dates too
41/2, 50, 150

I have a 41/2 patten date and have seen others
Iam pretty sure a collector from the east has a #50 patten date with bears so there most likely is a #150 out there too.

Personally I have seen canadian bears on #11/2s, #2s, #31/2, #4s, #14s with #4 pans
A collector I know Has a #2, #4, #14, #48, #50 all with canadian bears

I have never seen or heard of a #0, #1, or #3 canadian trap with bears on it

Nancy yes what I meant to say was to check closely all traps that shouldn't have bears because someone may have changed springs.Lots of mink you are right about the O.C. with pat dates.Lots of mink My mistake I have seen the 4 1/2 with bears that had the patent date also and the 50 with patent date I read that they have been on 150s also. Greg

Lots of mink and Cascade, I have two traps with American bears. Both 1 1/2's. Both have
have patent pans. Are you guys saying plain OC pans without PAT could be counterfeit. Is there
a pan era that should be associated with the bears?

great info thanks

reiny Ive seen bears on both OC and patten date #2 american made newhouses.
I think the bears fell inbetween both pans on that trap.
The #4s that I have seen bears on seam to be OCs.
The #11/2s that I have seen with bears, seam to be patten dates.

Great info and topic! Thanks!