I have two Blake & Lamb # 2 1/2's. Look to be in decent shape, both pans are readable, one better than the other. Any value to these? Are they used for beaver & otter? Any ideas as to when they were made? Without the help of the setter they are a pain in the rear to set, I can't see standing knee deep in mud and water setting them and not using language my grandchildren better not know.
Somewhere around here I have a Newhouse 2 1/2 in pretty decent shape, it has two slots in the pan and a half round cover that goes in them. What is the cover for? Thanks, Richard.

That is the later model with the Victor style hump pan and regular twin loop chain and were made up until 1980. The earlier model had post/rivet pan and lock link chain and some earlier had different style single spring only jaws. The older ones had more rounded springs and believe it or not hold their strength even better. They are a pretty common trap with a user value of around $8.00. Yours are in good enough shape that they could go for more to a collector but then again they are fairly common.

The Newhouse is a collector for sure especially if the pan is good. The cover on the pan you mention is called a breast plate and was supposed to help catch otter by the breast when they swam or slid on the pan. I'm not sure how effective that would be but with the teeth on the Newhouse I guess it would be possible.

Thanks Okie.