Hello all. Been some time since I have been on the forum. Hope you are all well.

I've been redoing my handling of the traps I wish to have displayed and was looking over my hand forged J. Watkins. I have examples of his work ranging from #5 to #9 (his sizing as stamped on the traps) and was wondering if anyone had experience with sizes outside this range. I know someone that once had a #10 and I have seen photos of one example that didn't have a number on it but must have been more like a #15 or something (it was huge!).

Thanks for your help everyone.

Post some pictures

I believe Watkins’ trap sizes corresponded to the distance between the jaw post centers in inches. My No.6 below is 6” between posts. I have seen a No.9 but that’s the largest example I’ve come across so far. Post some photos - would like to see them.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Last time I tried to post pics I couldn't because the files were too big or some such thing and I didn't know how to compress them. Still don't know.....

I have seen John Watkins Traps from size marked 5 to 12 Bear Trap size .Most common are # 6 = a number 3 or 4 in of equal size.In or after 1840 when he came to U S A, he made gin type traps,marked 4, or 5 on base.In 1890 he Patented a dogless Trap when he lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut.Single and Double Longsprings.