Anyone know the time period these traps were made ? And value of them .

My guide(2016) list them $25 in excellent condition and $10 in good condition. But I do see them sell at $30-$40 on ebay fairly regularly. Not sure exactly when manufactured?

Thanks rendezvous , I cant find any information on the internet about them.

I couldn't find any information on them either. They seem to be very popular or collectable though, it's a neat little trap.

theres an earlier one also,has a picture of a weasel on it in blue ink

Do you have a picture of one? How rare?

yes ,will have to find the trap and take a pic

trying to figure out how to post pics

Traphound do you have any idea of time period they were made, both types ?

I am nor sure of dates

I am sure they started in the early to mid 1950’s,,,At least that is what is in my fuzzy memory,,,I would really like to see a picture of the one with a weasel on it,,,


This picture is from a 1960 Hawbaker brochure,,,Note the ad does not say anything about it being new to the market,,





This picture is from a 1963 Hawbaker supply catalog,,,says basically the same thing as the 1960 ad, but does show a price increase,,




This picture is from a 1957 F C Taylor supply catalog,,,it is labeled Victor Rat trap,,note has different bait plate than the official weasel trap,,,the ad for this trap states also suitable for weasels,,,Taylor was using this ad into their 1970’s catalog,,could not find a mention of the official weasel trap in any of my Taylor catalogs,,

Thanks PaulB ,At least we know 1960 for sure.

Good Information right there PaulB... I know a T-Man member that has the stamping block that was used for the graphics and lettering on this trap....

Great information right there for sure, thank you.

A little off-topic... I know they made an "Official" Mouse Trap with the wire pedal. Did they ever make an "Official" Rat Trap with the wire pedal?

Okay, You guys seam to be running in circles here. I will help you out. Maybe this won't be deleted.

The "Official Rat Catchers" trap was patented in 1911 and manufactured by Oneida Community. It was developed in conjunction with U.S. government agencies. Oneida Community sold out it's Rat and Mouse trap manufacturing business to the Animal Trap Company of America in 1924. The A.T.C. first put The "Official Weasel Trap" in their 1931 catalog.

Thanks for sharing, welcome back, missed your trap knowledge!

4zebra61, You are welcome. Glad to help when I can.

Both the "Official Rat Catchers Trap" and the first model "Official Weasel Trap" have directions printed on the back.
Here is the first and second model Weasel traps reverse side.




For comparison, hare are two different "Official Rat Catchers Traps, front and back.

Very helpful ,. Good information on these traps are hard to come across. Thank you very much .

snakecollector, I had thought I had read something about an "Official" Rat Trap but couldn't find it again and began doubting what I had actually read. The information you have provided on these traps is amazing and greatly appreciated. Yes, thank you very much.

Top notch info there..good to see you back Dean

thank you dean,for the info

Dean, Thanks for the pictures! I had never saw the trap with the weasel on it. Very Cool!

Thanks for sharing the pics and info Dean.

Values of collector traps are somewhat difficult to determine and are affected by numerous factors of which rarity and condition usually are most important and even then there is likely to be considerable variation in opinion and that is why most folks even if very knowledgable are reluctant to post their opinions. Having said all that, I will offer my opinions after having owned many of the traps. The early traps discussed here and shown by snakecollector have values in excess of 100.00 if in decent condition and a truly pristine example would bring several times that amount. The more common and more recent examples generally sell for about 25.00 each. I am aware of several collectors who hold intact boxes of a dozen new mint examples of the most recent traps made.

I am the current owner of the printing block referred to by Digger Dale that stamped the later version of the weasel trap and will attempt to get a photo of it added to this thread.

Took two photos. If they turn out decent and if you can read in reverse you will see that this printers block was likely used to stamp some of the Weasel traps.