Biggest nuts I've seen on a trap this size. Like a small #3 with no markings...
I have an idea what it is, but haven't seen another to compare with...

So much potential it is difficult to not comment.................:)

Dale,
I believe that it is a P.S. manufacture, slick pan. Notice the swell in the center of the jaws.

Makes me wonder if you are referring to the title or the trap?

It has been my understanding that the slick pan models were PSW traps and made after the PS MFG.. Beginning to look like I could be wrong on that.
The above #3 has forged springs and a two piece pan post. (and really BIG nuts)

Here is a #2 PS Mfg. and it has machined springs and cast pan post.

Dale.
I am not an expert on PS or PS&W traps. I just looked it up. PS (Peck, Smith) traps were 1860's, cast raised letter pans. PS&W (Peck, Stow & Wilcox) slick pan traps were 1860-1870's. PS&W are the ones with the swell in the jaws. Some early PS&W slick pans have trip hammered springs.

PS Slick pan Dale. The bulge in the center top of the jaws gives it away. Had a few over the years with those big nuts also. They are nice strong beefy traps and look very neat and uniform with the forged springs. Nice Trap Dale.

Very interesting trap Dale! So if I am reading this thread right Dales trap is a PS MFG prior to the raised pan?

Here are my 3 #3 PSW.

Oldest slick pan.

No two piece pan post.

Transition trap with flared jaws and numbered cast pan.

Newest with cast pan and no flared jaws.


I am a bit confused on the PS Manufacturing/PSW history and timelines. To me Dales trap looks like a very early PSW? Were all PSM traps before PSW`s or were they both produced at the same time?

Pretty cool group of #3s Trapper Pete. Thanks for taking the time to post some pictures.

I just read up a little on PS MFG. and PSW in my Gerstells book and Andreski - Parr price guide. Information is quite vague, contradictory, and open for speculation.
I am thinking that #3 of mine was made by PSW... Supposedly PS MFG. only made sizes 1, 1 1/2, and 2... So mine is probably an early "Oneida Pattern" PSW. Maybe before the factory was tooled up to make sheet metal springs and cast pan posts for the #3s. Even the cross is way longer than needed. (extra long dog). And I noticed some workmanship quality issues compared to that earlier PS MFG. #2...

Thanks for the additional info Dale. I did not notice the extra length on your dog and crosspiece until you mentioned them.

In the "Steel Trap in North America" book, Gerstell states Peck Smith Manufacturing merged with two other companys in 1870 to form the Peck Stow & Wilcox Co....If that is the case, I doubt the PS MFG traps came to an abrupt stop at that time. I would think it likely that they kept making them and added the #0, #3, and #4 size slick pan PSW traps. At least until the PS MFG. inventory ran out.

I think there are some pretty gray areas in Gerstells info on these trap companys. He also describes the PS & CO. traps with raised letter pans..
Probably rarer than "trapper48"s #1 cast pan Crescent.