Anybody want to post some pics for me? I can send them text or email just send your info

Holy smokes Mike! Three emails with a total of 33 pictures showed up. I'll have to thin out a few.

Here's the one with "strange chain hookup"

Obviously an earlier number four, has a 44 chain on it and chain is definitely good from swivel on. I've asked a few trap collectors about this chain hookup. Many of them said I've seen that before. But is it right? The trap appears very original and unopened. The bail connecting to the trap seams to be made of spring steel. If that piece is not right someone here should be able to name what that piece is? I've seen almost exact setups on three Newhouse traps now.

"Kenwood hookup"

"pat date"

All very good looking traps Mike. I posted a picture on here of a 44 with a connector to the spring like that first one, but can't find the post now. Got no responses about correctness so I changed it out for a base link. Anymore I try to leave things "as found".

Especially after Nhousecattrapper tried to talk me into grinding off the rivets on a 14 squarepan to see the original government pan!!!!!!!!!

Interesting that they keep popping up. There's no money in faking traps like that. The 44 chains are worth more than the number four traps. I think I gave 40$ for the one up top. With the 44 chain on it I thought a good deal. Sure would like to have a definitive answer, doubt you will find a picture of that in the OC catalogs.

HA HA Dale. You are soooooooooooooo Funny.

Just kidding Bruce.. Good to know you're alive and kicking!!!!

Here's that spring to swivel connector that I took off a 44. Kind of like the one on your trap Mike...

Dale,
That is defiantly not a factory link. The opening is right where the swivel would pull and it would pop out under pressure. The hole idea of the #44 is to have the chain on the base.

Snakecollector is correct...all 44s had chains off the base.

From about 1911 through early-1950s, the #44 was basically a #4 with heavier chain and base link. I have validated 2 types of base links; Kenwood style and bent rod.
The #44 originated from professional trapper requests to beef up a #4 size trap with heavy chain, links & swivels (simulating a smaller version of a 4 1/2). Most pat date 44s have a Gov't stamping although they were marketed to the public periodically. They could be ordered with or without ring on chain.
After transitition from SNOC to ATC 1925-1930, they went to kinkless chain, newer style swivel, and bent rod link exclusively. The ATC 44 is relatively rare because trappers could easily build one out of a cheaper #4 and most Gov't agencies went to large orders of #3 size traps instead--after wolf extirpation in the southwest.
The #44 is a true "Gov't trap".

I should have stated that the link was solid, up until I took the hacksaw to it.......

Collectors all have an idea of what a factory correct trap should be but I get the notion that a few of the bass turd traps out there were actually made that way. Not saying that chain setup on the 44 was correct but when you start seeing a few show up...... it kind of makes you wonder.

Here's a chain snap that lots of mink found on a Kenwood in Canada. And another on an early OC with the kenwood chain from Ohio....????