STEEL TRAPS.
In the preceding pages I have made frequent mention of the Newhouse
and other brands of traps and the work would hardly be complete
without a description of these traps.
The Newhouse traps were designed by Sewell Newhouse, a resident of
Oneida Co., New York, sometime prior to the year 1840 and the first
of these famous traps were manufactured by the inventor in a little
blacksmith shop, all of the work being done by hand.
These traps were traded to the neighboring Indians and gradually
became famous throughout the country. Early in the fifties, Mr.
Newhouse moved to Kenwood, in Madison County and established a larger
shop. It was at this time that he joined the Oneida Community and as
the demand for the goods soon exceeded the output, the firm decided
that the business must be enlarged and accordingly a small factory
was erected.
The business proved prosperous and it was found necessary to enlarge
the plant from time to time in order to increase the output and
supply the demand which was increasing rapidly as the traps became
well known, and today these people are the largest manufacturers of
steel traps in the world.
Great care is used in the tempering of the springs and it is a fact
well known to the users of this goods that the Newhouse spring is
more reliable and more durable than any other.
The nearly perfect state of the Newhouse trap as it is made at
present, has only been reached after years of study and experiment
and many of the improvements have been brought about by the trappers
themselves, with whom this firm has a large correspondence. They are
always pleased to receive any suggestions for the improvement of
their traps.
Although the Newhouse is a cheap trap, quality considered, it was
soon found necessary to manufacture a line of cheaper traps and
several styles were placed on the market. These were remodeled and
changed in various ways to meet the demands of the consumer, and the
names were changed with the style.
Those made at present are known as the "Hawley & Norton," the "Oneida
Jump" and the "Victor". The Hawley & Norton is made in the same style
as the Newhouse, but is lighter. The Victor is also made in this
style and it is safe to say that it is the most popular trap on the
market. More of them are used than of any other brand and being so
cheap they are especially liked by the beginner and by those who do
not make trapping their leading occupation. In thickly settled
districts where traps are often taken by thieves, many trappers
prefer to use these cheaper grades of traps.
The Oneida Jump trap is a distinct departure from the Newhouse
pattern. It is a high grade trap but very light and its shape allows
it to be placed where an ordinary trap could be set only with
difficulty. Instead of having the long bow spring as in the other
styles it has a short spring located inside of the jaws and under the
pan, and it is attached to one end of the bed plate of the trap. This
makes the trap very compact and it takes up very little room either
when set or sprung. The traps have been on the market a comparatively
short time but they have already become quite popular.
All of these traps are made in sizes from No. 0 to No. 4 and the
Newhouse is made in additional sizes and in special styles as
described in the following pages.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 0 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 3 1/2 inches. This, the smallest trap made, is used
mostly for catching the gopher, a little animal which is very
troublesome to western farmers, and also rats and other vermin. It
has a sharp grip and will hold larger game, but should not be
overtaxed.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 1 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 4 inches. This Trap is used for catching muskrats and
other small animals, and sold in greater numbers than any other size.
Its use is well understood by professional trappers and it is the
most serviceable size for catching skunks, weasels, rats and such
other animals as visit poultry houses and barns.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 81 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 4 inches. Occasionally animals free themselves from
traps by gnawing their legs off just below the trap jaws, where the
flesh is numb from pressure. Various forms of traps have been
experimented with to obviate this difficulty. The Webbed Jaws shown
above have proved very successful in this respect.
Noting the cross-section of the jaws, as illustrated at the left, it
is plain the animal can only gnaw off its leg at a point quite a
distance below the meeting edges. The flesh above the point of
amputation and below the jaws will swell and make it impossible to
pull the leg stump out of the trap.
The No. 81 Trap corresponds in size with the regular No. 1 Newhouse.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 91 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws--91, 5 1/4 inches; 91 1/2, 6 1/4 inches. The double
jaws take an easy and firm grip so high up on the muskrat that he can
not twist out. A skunk cannot gnaw out either.
These traps are especially good for muskrat, mink, skunk and raccoon.
All parts of the No. 91 except the jaws are the same size as the
regular No. 1 Newhouse, while the 91 1/2 corresponds to the regular
No. 1 1/2.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 1 1/2 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 4 7/8 inches. This size is called the Mink Trap. It
is, however, suitable for catching the woodchuck, skunk, etc.
Professional trappers often use it for catching foxes. It is very
convenient in form and is strong and reliable.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 2 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 4 7/8 inches. The No. 2 Trap is called the Fox Trap.
Its spread of jaws is the same as the No. 1 1/2 but having two
springs it is, of course, much stronger.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 3 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 5 1/2 inches. This, the Otter Trap, is very powerful.
It will hold almost any game smaller than a bear.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 4 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 6 1/2 inches. This is the regular form of Beaver
Trap. It is longer than the No. 3 Trap, and has one inch greater
spread of jaws. It is a favorite with those who trap and hunt for a
living in the Northwest and Canada. It is also extensively used for
trapping the smaller wolves and coyotes in the western stock raising
regions.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 2 1/2 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 6 1/2 inches. In some localities the otter grows to
an unusual size, with great proportionate strength, so that the
manufacturers have been led to produce an especially large and strong
pattern. All the parts are heavier than the No. 2 1/2, the spread of
jaws greater and the spring stiffer.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 3 1/2 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 5 inches. The above cut represents a Single Spring
Otter Trap. It is used more especially for catching otter on their
"slides." For this purpose a thin, raised plate of steel is adjusted
to the pan so that when the trap is set the plate will be a trifle
higher than the teeth on the jaws. The spring is very powerful, being
the same as used on the No. 4 Newhouse Trap. The raised plate can be
readily detached if desired, making the trap one of general utility.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 21 1/2 TRAP]
Single Spring. Same as No. 2 1/2 but without Teeth or Raised Plate.
No. 31 1/2 NEWHOUSE TRAP.
Single Spring. Same as No. 3 1/2 but without Teeth or Raised Plate.
Spread of Jaws--No. 21 1/2, 5 1/4 inches; No. 31 1/2, 6 1/2 inches.
These Traps are the largest smooth jaw, single spring sizes that are
made. Professional trappers will find these especially valuable when
on a long trapping line, as they are more compact and easier to
secrete than the large double spring traps. The springs are made
extra heavy.
Note.--The 21 1/2 is practically a single spring No. 3 and the 31 1/2
a single spring No. 4.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 14 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 6 1/2 inches. This Trap is the same in size as the
No. 4 Beaver, but has heavier and stiffer springs and offset jaws,
which allow the springs to raise higher when the animal's leg is in
the trap, and is furnished with teeth sufficiently close to prevent
the animal from pulling its foot out.
[Illustration: CLUTCH DETACHABLE TRAP]
Clutch Detachable--Trap can be used with or without it.
Spread of Jaws, No. 23, 5 1/2 inches; No. 24, 6 1/4 inches. The
inventor of this attachment claims to have had wonderful success with
it in taking beaver. The trap should be set with the clutch end
farthest from shore. The beaver swims with his fore legs folded back
against his body, and when he feels his breast touch the bank he puts
them down. The position of the trap can be so calculated that he will
put his fore legs in the trap, when the clutch will seize him across
the body and hold him securely.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 4 1/2 TRAP]
In response to a demand for a new model of the Newhouse Trap
especially adapted to catching wolves, the manufacturers have
perfected a trap which is numbered 4 1/2 and is called the "Newhouse
Wolf Trap."
This trap has eight inches spread of jaw, with other parts in
proportion, and is provided with a pronged "drag," a heavy snap and
an extra heavy steel swivel and chain, five feet long, warranted to
hold 2,000 pounds. The trap complete with chain and "drag" weighs
about nine pounds.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 50 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 9 inches. This trap is intended for catching small
sized bears. In design it is exactly like the standard No. 5 Bear
Trap, only that the parts are all somewhat smaller. Weight, 11 1/4
pounds each.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 150 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 9 inches. This trap is identical with No. 5 excepting
that the jaws are offset, making a space five-eighths inch between
them. This allows the springs to come up higher when the bear's foot
is in the trap, and thus secure a better grip. Also there is less
chance of breaking the bones of the foot. Weight, 11 1/4 pounds each.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 5 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 11 3/4 inches. This trap weighs nineteen pounds. It
is used for taking the common black bear and is furnished with a very
strong chain.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 15 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 11 3/4 inches. To meet the views of certain hunters
whose judgment is respected, the manufacturers designed a style of
jaw for the No. 5 trap, making an offset of 3/4 of an inch, so as to
allow the springs to come up higher when the bear's leg is in the
trap. This gives the spring a better grip. Those wishing this style
should specify "No. 15."
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE NO. 6 TRAP]
Spread of Jaws, 16 inches. Weight, complete, 42 pounds. This is the
strongest trap made. We have never heard of anything getting out of
it when once caught. It is used to catch lions and tigers, as well as
the great Grizzly Bears of the Rocky Mountains.
[Illustration: BEAR CHAIN CLEVIS AND BOLT]
This cut illustrates Bear Chain Clevis and Bolt, intended as a
substitute for the ring on the end of the trap chain, when desired.
With this clevis a loop can be made around any small log or tree
without the trouble of cutting to fit the ring. The chain is made
five feet long, suitable for any clog, and the prices of bear traps
fitted with it are the same as with the regular short chain and ring.
[Illustration: TRAP SETTING CLAMP]
Every trapper knows how difficult it is to set a large trap alone in
the woods, especially in cold weather, when the fingers are stiff,
and the difficulty is greatly increased when one has to work in a
boat. One of these clamps applied to each spring will by a few turns
of the thumb-screws, bend the springs to their places, so that the
pan may be adjusted without difficulty. No. 4 Clamp can be used on
any trap smaller than No. 4 1 /2. No. 5 and 6 are strong clamps,
carefully made and especially adapted to setting the large traps Nos.
4 1/2 to 6. They dispense with the inconvenient and dangerous use of
levers. With them one can easily set these powerful traps. These
clamps are also useful about camp for other purposes.
END OF SCIENCE OF TRAPPING
End of Project Gutenberg's Science of Trapping, by Elmer Harry Kreps