It’s been a while since I bought any new #1 coil springs… I was a tad curious about the Bridger #1 coil because of its compact, square jaw and how it might fit into a smaller, mink sized pocket.so I ordered one to study it.
DANG,,, that thing is stout… might be a bit problematic to set on knee while working in the muck because of the short levers…
But I’m confident that whatever gets in it,,, ain’t getting out.

I know those old NW #1 coil square jaw's w/ a 3.5" jaw spread were stout... and then some. I think they were used in some otter trapping for relocation at some point...

I have a bunch of the Northwoods #1 coils. Stout little trap and a great pocket set trap for mink. I used them a lot when I was trapping where I had mink. They were a pretty good trap for rat floats also.

I still have all my #1 Northwoods. Rats, mink, raccoon. I even caught a smaller incidental beaver in one. They are a good trap.

I used to have some of the stop-loss #1 Northwoods square Jaw coils. Still have a bunch of #1 square jaws also. The correct replacement springs have the end of the spring that goes across the levers.

Never under stood why these companies make a great trap and then put a piece of junk J hook and chain on it.

You do have a good point. I never understood it either. But, I guess like most other traps in general,, they typically aren’t ready to go out of the box.