I see some Newhouse long springs where the jaws connect to on the spring side are not bolted they are riveted. What is the age difference. I just picked up a 1 1/2 single long spring that is bolted.

I think you might be referring more to trap size than age. The majority of #0s and #1s didn't have bolted jaw posts, whereas the #1 1/2 size and larger did have bolted jaw posts.

Dale is correct. However, the #1 size traps with forged springs do have a bolted jaw post because of the round bottom spring eye. The machined springs on the #0 and #1 have a key hole eye in the lower spring so that the spring can be removed from the riveted post. The #1 1/2 size always has the bolted jaw posts, except for the last model #0,1,81,91,1 1/2, 81 1/2, 91 1/2 and 2 with the hook in "Victor" type jaws.

thanks guys. I see no date on the trap pan and can read everything else. Do you have an idea about when the traps was made? Or would pictures of the trap help.

Dean, this Newhouse #1 might be an exception to the rule. Pretty sure it is a machined spring.

Dale, Nice trap. That would be an exception. It is a first model machined spring, not many of them around. It would have been in the transition from forged springs to machined, before they changed the jaw post from bolted to riveted. Thanks for the photos.

DANG DEAN! I thought maybe I had you on something but you're like a dog gone encyclopedia....!

You better answer backroadsarcher's last question......

DiggerDale that #1 looks just like my 1 1/2 but the 1 1/2 has the looped chain.

backroadsarcher, put up some photos of your trap and I will give you a date range that it was made.

Dale, I don't have all of the answers, but I am working on finding them.

Here some picture snakecollector. Thanks a lot for your time


!!

backroadsarcher, I can tell you that your #1 1/2 Newhouse was made between 1907 and 1909. The wire chain hook on the ring did not come out until around 1907, so it was made after that. This is not a belt hook as many call it, it was for wrapping the chain around a root or the like and hooking it back to itself to anchor the trap. The pan does not have the Dec. 16,'02 patent date and that was not used on the pan of Newhouse traps until 1910. It was put on the base of some #0 and #1 size trap base Newhouse in 1907-09. Most people assume that the 1902 patent date was used in 1902, and it probably was, but not on the Newhouse traps. The 1902 patent date was for the turned up ends on the jaws where they went through the holes in the base. This was done earlier on Victor traps and not done on Newhouse until later, so the patent did no apply. Dean

Thanks a lot Dean. I am just getting into picking up a few of these. I find it very fun and interesting. Thanks again!!

Hurray Snakecollector,,, finally someone with some knowledge speaks up on the clip. My family used them (clips) and they were used mostly to connect to the standing willow trees for rats and mink about 2" in diam. along creeks (long before beaver were common in the waterways) and NOT for fastening to a belt.

Wow my luck just had a friend give me another one of these yesterday along with a couple older Victor long springs. Wife thought I was crazy, acted like a kid in the candy store.