Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum and have been told there are some real knowledgeable collectors and experts on traps. I have recently dove into the rabbit hole of trap collecting and became the new owner of this Newhouse no.50 bear trap. Can anybody kindly care to give me a little info on it and what it might be worth. Much appreciated and looking forward to hearing back from you all. Thanks

Somebody with more knowledge than me will chime in , but might be in the morning . Getting late for those east coast guys

Welcome aboard BTW

Hello and welcome,
Your trap is a Newhouse #50, which was marketed as a small bear trap. It was made by Oneida Community in their Niagra Falls, Onterio, Canida factory between 1914 and 1925. The patent date on the pan is Sept., 26, 1911, that patent was for the dimple or crimp in the top spring eye that allowed the loose jaw to lay flatter when the trap is set. The chain, swivel and ring are original but the rest or the chain has been added. Condition is important to value, your trap is collectable but it has some pitting.

Amazing! Thank you so much for this info. Would you suggest I remove the not original chain. It is being held with chicken wire wrapped several times for a tight fit or would you leave it be? Also, how would you suggest I go about cleaning it. Soap and water? Wd40? Oil it up? I would obviously not want to devalue it and would like to retain its collectibility value. Thanks for the info.

You posted the same thing on the NATCA face book page and I believe you got correct answers there.

Yup thanks was just trying to get as much info as I could from different sources.

Snakecollector gave you some great imformation, better than the NATCA site which I read again. I would remove the chain from the ring on. The springs appear to be marked with ONT which stands for Ontario. Its some what common on bear traps found in Canada but a little more desirable than not having it. Cleaning it? would depend on what look you like and what you plan on doing with it.Brass brush and WD40 is what most collectors use if they clean a trap. I like it as is because of the look. Frankly the trap is not good enough to put effort in cleaning it. If reselling let someone else clean it. The pitting on the pan hurts the value but the rest of the trap appears good. Someone might part this trap out if they could get it apart. There are a lot of smaller bear traps found in eastern Canada in the 50 and 150 size. If you are serious about collecting traps I would suggest you join the NATCA.