OPINIONS ON CANADIAN BASE LINKS

Are these a Canadian ONLY thing?

This link, some times referred to as a "Canadian link", is found on some Canadian traps but is also found on N.Y. traps as well. The link was used by the factory but was also sold by Oneida Community as a "repair link". Here is a page from the 1896 Oneida Community catalog. Sold in 5 sizes.

Here is an early Canadian #4 1/2, Kenwood pan, arched "Oneida Community" spring stamps and 4 prong drag. Not my trap. Notice, the different swivel and snap.

I wouldn't argue with that Kenwood being a Canadian model.
It is good to see actual literature showing the repair links.
Not sure if it is just my location but I've seen enough of the supposedly Canadian links like in my picture to think they were fairly common on US made traps too. Hope I'm not opening up a can of worms by saying that.

Dean: The base to chain connection in your photo is unlike any I have previously seen. Are you aware of others? The riveted link matches the base link but seems light for the swivel and chain. Your thoughts please.

That's a nice looking trap Dean, I wonder who's it is? LOL. Jim, The Canadian Kenwood Chain link is a heavier link than the U.S.

I SHOULD HAVE KNOWED !!!!

Good info.... I have not seen that swivel connection before either. I do have one or two US traps with the pivoting link but most of the ones I have seen were on Canadian traps. Most were in the same locations which would make me think it was a factory application and not as a repair but that is only my opinion ......

Barry,
I believe that the link was sold by OC as an accessory Item, but the biggest majority was sent to the Canadian plant to use. That is the reason why you see more on Canadian traps than any U S manufactured traps, and the U S manufactured traps you see them on are far and few between which leads me to believe that those were traps repaired by trappers who ordered them here in the states, just for that reason, repair. It was more than likely an item that saw few sales so was sent to Canada for their use at the plant, like many other parts. Parts were shipped back and forth between the two plants depending on what was in need at any given time. I have seen many large ONT stamped springs on #50s and #150s with the ONT ground off, which could be for export reasons, or they could have been in need of springs at the U S plant and had them shipped down and ground the ONT off here. I have seen and fooled with far too many Canadian traps as I am sure you have to think other wise on that Canadian link and the ground off ONT on the #50 and #150 springs. Come back with an opinion on that Barry.
Bruce

All Canadian wolf traps that I have seen have the kenwood style base link. Every one of them. Even the early 114s had it.

I have 3 all have the Kenwood base link also.

Bruce
I would tend to agree with your rational on the ground off ONT on the springs as I to have seen a few of these along the way. The reasoning one would only think it would have to do with trade rules between the two countries. I even have a bear trap that has the N.Y. removed from the pan which looks really original so really tough to argue that the parts didn't make they way back and forth across the border.... The pivoting/canadian/repair link whatever we call it is probably another shared component only difference may be trapper installed versus factory installed depending on place of manufacture. A little off topic but what is everyones thoughts on a Canadian trap with standing not dancing bear on the spring???
Barry

I agree that the Canadian traps came with the links pictured. But I've seen that Kenwood base link, swivel, coldshut combo on #4s and #44s with N.Y. stamped springs and pans. And the pivot (repair) link on #4 1/2 OCs with N.Y. springs. The traps mentioned didn't look bastardized. Makes me think some were made with those parts for the US market also.

There is no evidence that the link is purely Canadian. There are too many U.S. made traps with the swivel link to call it a Canadian link, it just is not.
Here is a page from one of Oneida Community's 1913 catalogs, shows a #4 1/2, N.Y. spring stamps and a riveted link on the swivel. You don't need any more proof than that. At least I don't.

Great Picture!!! One would have to believe that would be a factory application on both sides of the water then. Excellent info....