There has been some interest in Hart traps, I am related to Chauncey Hart and his sons and have collected some of their traps. Chauncey Hart was a blacksmith in Unionville, CT and made traps from about 1845 to 1875. Chauncey had 5 sons, 4 of them worked with him in the blacksmith shop.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52267-20200404_173445_1024x768.jpg)
Some of the early Hart traps were all hand forged, no cast parts and had square jaws with riveted jaw posts.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52268-20200608_222916_1024x768.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52269-20200608_222953_1024x768.jpg)
Later the square jaws had bolted jaw posts. This trap, marked "4 C. Hart & Son" also has a stamp BBH and a crown. I did some research and found that this is an iron brand of an English steel company, Bradly, Barrows & Hall. At least at that time, Hart was importing steel from England. Interesting, I also have a #4 Newhouse slick pan with the same "BBH crown" stamp on the base.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52271-t2ec16nhjhqffhtl5ifjbrtoqnvg60_57.jpg)
This trap marked "Chauncy Hart 3" on the base has an unusual spring and cast jaws.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52272-20200608_223201_1024x768.jpg)
These traps sized 6, 3 and the smallest unmarked, all have an oval lower spring eye.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52273-20200608_223134_1024x768.jpg)
Here is a trap with cast jaws, almost 6" jaw spread and 22 small cast teeth, 11 on each jaw.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52274-20180313_201003_1024x768.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52275-20180313_201102_1024x768.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52276-20180313_201118_1024x768.jpg)
This is the largest Hart trap that I have seen, it is not marked but is identical to a 5 Hart that is marked. The large trap is almost 29" long and 12" post to post.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52277-1_1024x768.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52278-2_1024x768.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52279-7.jpg)
Here are some very special Hart traps. The 3 on the left have sheet metal springs with a cast upper eye that is bolted on. The 2 traps on the right were patented by two of Chauncey's sons, George and Hubert Hart in 1864. they are a dog-less design.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52280-20200608_223439_1024x768.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52281-20200608_223505_1024x768.jpg)
Latter models started to look like the Newhouse trap to compete in the market. A lot of Hart traps did not come with chains, so you will find them with what ever the trapper put on them, though, some did come with chains attached.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52282-pict0007_1024x768.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52283-pict0010_1024x768.jpg)
To compete with Oneida Community's Newhouse trap, some traps were advertized as "Oneida Pattern", a few Hart traps were marked on the spring "Oneida Pattern".
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52284-20170528_092012_1024x576.jpg)
This trap has a spring that is cut from sheet metal but has a forged upper eye.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52285-pict0130_1024x768.jpg)
This is the only trap that I have that is stamped on top of the pan.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2020/06/full-25601-52286-20190831_123040_1024x768.jpg)