I am a beginning collector and am looking at purchasing a working Dwight No. 1 with the pan partially readable. I'd say fair condition, what should I expect to pay?

Your starting out looking for one of the toughest traps to find, IMO. That being said, the price will be high, because anyone and everyone would snap it up real quick. in the condition your looking for in complete working condition, with complete chain, you're probably looking at a price of $1,500.00 or more, IMO. There's a lot of guys with some pretty good sized collections that don't have one.
Good luck, I hope you find one for under $100.00, you just never know.

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.

That trap that is on the auction tomorrow has a lot of interest and will likely sell high.

I assume it will, being so rare. Great for the guys selling it! I'm sure it will be way out of my league.

Auctions can be funny. Sometimes you get people there that have no clue what they are worth. Sometimes just the opposite. Bring the most you will pay. Good luck!

$1750......

NY Jake, I have collected coins, traps and trapping paper for over 50 years, each having their own dominance over time. One thing to remember, who can I resell to. Each area has its driving force, traps: Newhouse, hand forged, bear traps, traps with teeth, specialty one, then it dribbles down. Coins, gold silver, dollars, ancients. colonial etc. Paper FUR FISH GAME, Hunter Trader Trapper, Trappers World , catalogues, books, other special paper. I never heard of the trap you are looking at but I have seen a number 6 Blake in AZ once with other bear traps, Some guys would die for an EN WOODCOCK original, try Potter County PA. Remember this, collect what you like and gives enjoyment as life is short and the world is rapidly changing. Good luck and enjoy.

Someone told me once that collecting good traps is a better investment than a 401K.......so I keep telling my wife that!

They sure DO go up in value consistently.......so hard to argue.

MZ

Trap Collecting is not a Hobby, "It's a Disease".

Is that why I feel so