I just purchased about 100 very old traps from a family cleaning out a barn. The traps were the property of a man that would’ve been trapping back in the 1920’s and up. I haven’t gone through all the traps but two that stood out are (1) Diamond #34 coilspring (2) Newhouse #3 Oneida Community that has a small metal strip riveted under pan to act as a pan tension device I’m guessing & a thick wire around the crosspiece and over the pan. I’ve also noticed that the #3 & 4 B&L jumps are very old, looks like cast jaws. Any info on the two traps I received is greatly appreciated.

This Diamond #34 is a 4-coiled Trap, not modified but 4-coiled by the manufacturer. I’d never heard of a 4-coiled trap from this early. I’ve learned the Diamond Company stopped making traps in the early 1930’s. So they were way ahead of their time. Its in excellent condition, doesn’t look like it was ever dyed, waxed, or even used. It has a nice patina

It is not that Diamond or many of the other trap manufactures were way ahead of their time, but rather what you see is the modern day trap manufactures copying ideas of the earlier manufactures. There is very little new in modern trap making that has not already been done in years past. In 1931 ATC bought out the trap business of Norwich Wire Works Inc. producer of the Diamond trap and sold the finished majority of traps to F C Taylor.

That’s interesting, thanks. I’m really impressed by this trap! The springs are still pretty strong. Do you have any idea how common / rare this trap is?

It is one of the less common Diamond traps. Not sure if I would call it rare.

I’ve seen dozens and dozens of the # 21 single long Diamond. I’ve seen less than a dozen of the #34. And I’ve been in the used trap business for 30 plus years.

Thanks for the info! The bunch of traps I bought also included some of the #21’s. I’m excited to go through the remaining traps! I trap coyotes mostly on a big ranch here in Oklahoma & have read a lot of the older coyote Trappers books. I always assumed that 4-coiling was something that began in the ‘70s out west. It just shocked me to see a trap maker in the ‘30s marketing a 4-coiled coyote trap. Any idea what it’s value might be?

Book value shows to be $60 for good condition and $75 in excellent condition.

Thanks for the info!

I also found Triumph easy-set #3's, Newhouse #3 dbl's, A really nice 3n stamped "property of US' w/ kinkless chain and dogknot stake, and some really old 3 & 4 Victor jumps patent date 1909

You done good.

Hey I think that family you cleaned out the barn for was my long lost third cousin's great grandpa. Just split the traps with me and we will be new best friends!

we are already friends! Being best friends sounds a lot like being married and ive tried that once

Kidding aside, i would be happy to do some trading