Picked up a few larger jump traps as part of a deal and had this little #1 thrown in. I realized it didn't have V cut in the pan, so I cleaned it up a bit in a vinegar bath. It has cast jaws, appears to be original chain and pan, and the spring is still fairly strong. I'm not expecting it to be a high dollar trap, but just wondering on approximate age? Wasn't it around 1910 that they began putting V cut in the pans?

Thanks in advance.

I'm thinking 1910 to 1914, based on the pan style and stamping.

The cut out "V" started in 1914, I think.

Not bad condition for over 100 years old.

If you find any more traps that are really old and might have collector value, please don't give them a vinegar bath. It removes the patina and decreases the value. Value lost on that little guy isn't that great but on a more valueable trap, it could be a major deduction.

Thanks for the input, I'm just use to cleaning up my "user" traps with a mild vinegar bath. Won't be doing that in the future with anything I suspect to be collectors. I know this one isn't worth a fortune, but it will get a dye job and a waxing and added to the man cave with a few of my other old traps. =)

Oneida community applied for a paten for the "V" cut out in Aug. 1909. In there application they stated that they had been using the "V" trade mark continually since 1 Feb. 1909. The paten was approved in Dec. 1909 and registered on 4 Jan. 1910. I would date your trap to about 1908-eraly 1909.

Thanks a bunch, I know its not worth much, but its still a nice little collector... can't complain one bit since it was just "an extra little #1" thrown in on a deal with some larger jumps.

Don't run the little trap down too much! Those like yours were made for a VERY short period, the connecting link and the part of the chain visible are original and the condition is actually decent. That is a very good example and a nice trap to begin a collection with. Scrub it up a bit with a toothbrush to remove the visible rust, dry with a blow dryer and give it a coat of petroleum jelly. You will be surprised how nice it looks and it will be preserved. By the way, that was very precise and useful information from snakecollector.

Thanks a bunch guys, really amazed I ended up a little gem like this, and best of all it was a freebie stuffed in to fill a box =)

Anybody have a rough idea on value? I know its not super high, but just curious.