When Belisle traps first came out, they were more of a double jaw style with the striker bar welded on in addition to the regular jaw. Now the jaws are one piece and the striker bar is accomplished with a ‘Canadian bend.’ Do the original welded version have any extra value?

No idea about value. I will always use Belisle traps. But I do wish they would use stronger steel. Jaws bend too much for liking. Taking the trap out of action and replacing It while down in swamp isn't feasible. Then back home in the vise.
Sarge

Guys have you checked out the Canadian made LDL 330 magnums? No jaw bending and strong! Expensive but good....just like everything else.

Take a hammer and tap the jaws back straight while laying on a log.

Why do you have to do that while laying on a log,cant you do it standing up or kneeling?

Never had any problem with these bending. Possibly due to the welded striker bar design. And the steel is likely better quality from times gone by.

Sauvenjeau are the same way- pretty disappointing after spending so much on them.

When NY came out with their crazy regs. on 330 triggers we welded two inserts to shrink the jaw spread making the trap legal without the trigger regs! I've showed the mods to several people without any interest---what they do is turn a 330 into a 280 which to me is a real fur catcher---from mink to otter without the deformed jaws! I've used several different brands over the years and these traps I prefer. Use what you like and believe in!

Like

No...he must lay on a log...lol

yea it gets annoying, the jaws bending. Happens regularly.. Yes easy to fix but should not happen regardless... Im gonna try the rudy traps this season coming. Im hearing good things about them

^^^^^
They look like standard jaws only.
PCS is out of stock

They have to use a steel they can make 2 major bends back to back without issue. A steel that can do those bends, can not have the strength not to deform when hitting solid objects when the trap is fired.

It can but it would add a lot to the cost of the trap because added cost of the steel… I have a 25 ton forging press which is small by industry standards and it will bend cold 5/16” 1045 like it’s a noodle. Those trap frames are only made from 1018’ish (I’m guessing ) which is butter in the steel world. ..then heat treat. Just a ton of adddd expense

Can't figure how that would make it legal. You would still have to measure to the outer frames and go by 330 regs
Could you show a picture so I can understand, thank you

Well yes, laying on a log gives a different perspective of your surroundings. Until you have smiley starring at you.
It seems the 330's bend more then the 280's. Which I really like. Like i said. I'm a firm believer in belisle and will stick with them. And also MB750. I use the KISS theory.
Sarge

Turtle---the regs that are there now were written just for me & Kurt, they were put there the next year! I will try for a picture--- I ain't too handy gettin' them up.

Thank you Tom, I agree our regs are terrible in my region. To many hip caught and alive beaver imo

Didn't BMI have a 330 that fell outside the NYS regs?