Was wondering if anybody has run across any unusual chain assemblies on the 4 1/2 wolf traps that could have possibly been factory made? If you think you have something could some pictures be shared? Thanks

Sounds like you have some pictures to share?

Most of the American wolf traps are pretty standard, the government ones came with extra heavy chain and from what I’ve seen and spoke about they dint necessarily have drags with them.

Some of the kenwoods had extra long chains and one arched kenwood I have had a large barrel snap, twice the size of a regular one.

I bought an American OC that has the fast twist drag that has heavy and longer links in the chain that normal.

I’ve also seen Oneida community horse halter components used in making wolf trap chains.

The Canadian wolf traps are an even bigger mess with the components seemingly changing quite often especially in the early production.

In short if it looks good, unmessed with, all patina matching don’t mess with it just cause bob down the block said it was wrong.

All of mine are pretty standard also, including my Kenwood's. One of my early models had 12 extra links of chain on it and looks original. All the wild cards I have seen have been the Canadians as stated above. There are some out there that have some bona fide early trapper mods and to me those just add to the character of the trap. If you have something weird put some pics up, we haven't had a wolf trap debate in a while...

This would be for a later made wolf trap. One most likely made by atc using up OC parts. Trap has patent date pan with non stamped atc springs. Round stock slow twist OC drag pretty standard chain set up for most later pat date wolf traps. This one is all original.

Thought this is unusual,

Looks like 415 triumph chain to me, but it looks like 2 links of Newhouse chain where the split chain starts. That’s my opinion. Nice trap.

Oneida community made chain, not just trap chain but all kinds and sizes of general purpose chain. They sold it to hardware stores and other manufacturers usually in wooden barrels.
You photo directly above shows proper wolf trap links.
The first photo you show looks to me someone possibly assembled that chain. If you look close at the sides of the links they don’t look factory closed but instead look like someone has opened them and then reclosed them. I could be wrong but let me tell you something about wolf traps. Hang a bunch of them up in a row with the chains hanging up or down in straight lines. Now relook at all your wolf trap chains. You should notice something right away about the ones that are correct and the ones that aren’t.

Here’s an early Canadian made trap with incomplete chain assembly
Notice the early swivel, this swivel was also used in horse halters and possibly other uses. To date I have never seen this swivel on an American trap but have seen it used on numerous Canadian traps.
This chain is very heavy much heavier than regular wolf trap links and it is 100 % authentic.

Good information on chains , every once in a while you pick a 4 1/2 and you look at the chain and think, well could be? 🤨

That Canadian swivel setup is interesting. I have never seen that setup before.

The early Canadian Chain links are a larger link than the American links. Here is a chain set up on a #4 & 1/2 Canadian Kenwood with arched Oneida spring stamps.

I only have one Canadian and the attachment to the base link is with a numeral 3 swivel and cold shut.

Here's a couple more I run across, one from Minnesota and the other from Escanaba last summer, ?

Thanks deer hunter for showing that trap.
Can you show the whole trap with drag setup?
I used to think that big lap link in there was wrong but after studying more traps I know it’s absolutely correct for a later model Canadian pat date.
I’ve seen it half a dozen times now.
The number three swivel is absolutely correct for a Canadian pat date and this same swivel is found on many American traps too.

Nice chains bumpy most likely off American OC wolf traps. The rings are a little suspect and the one ring there looks like it’s been opened and then reclosed and reformed.
If you hang those chains beside a regular wolf trap assembly side by side you might notice a thing or two.

I just started this post for fun, I went into knowing that my stuff may or may not be correct, I really enjoy all the pictures and trying to learn something from it, thanks. By the way does anyone have a extra base link they might want to sell?