NEWHOUSE TRAPS.
In or about 1823 the first Newhouse traps were made. At that early
date only a few of the smaller sizes were manufactured but these have
been added to until now the famous Newhouse trap is manufactured in
twenty-five different sizes. The smallest, No. 0, for rats and the
largest, No. 6, for grizzly bear. These with the various intermediate
sizes are adapted to catching all varieties of the fur-bearing and
game animals of the world. In fact, it is said that the No. 6 will
hold any living animal excepting the elephant.
Under this heading the various makes of this trap are described;
excepting the Double and Webbed Jaw, which are described in another
chapter.
Considerable of the description as given here is from the trap
catalog of the Oneida Community, Oneida, N. Y., manufacturers of the
Newhouse trap. For we believe that inasmuch as they have for more
than half a century manufactured traps (during which time they have
kept up a large correspondence with trappers in all parts of North
America) much weight should be given their views.
[Illustration: NO. 0, NEWHOUSE TRAP.]
This, the No. 0, is the smallest size made. Spread of Jaws, 3 1/2
inches. It is used largely for catching gophers and house rats. It
has a sharp grip and will hold larger game, but should not be
overtaxed.
[Illustration: NO. 1, NEWHOUSE TRAP.]
This, the No. 1, has a spread of jaws of 4 inches. This trap is used
for catching muskrat 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.
This trap is one that can be used to good advantage for other small
fur-bearing animals. Trappers use large numbers of this size for
muskrat, mink, opossum, civet and marten. Fox, coon, lynx and wild
cat are often caught in this trap but we do not advise its use for
these large animals.
[Illustration: NO. 1 1/2, OR MINK TRAP.]
This trap, No. 1 1/2, has a spread of jaws of 4 7/8 inches. This
size is called the "Mink Trap" but it is, however, suitable for
catching woodchucks, skunks, coon, etc. Professional trappers often
use it for catching foxes. It is very convenient in form and is
strong and reliable.
In some states where skunks grow very large, such as in parts of
Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas, as well as
other Northwestern sections this trap is much used.
One advantage in using a trap of this size for mink is that they are
caught high up and if by one of the front legs they are pretty sure
to be dead before the arrival of the trapper. If used for mink at a
water set, the animal generally soon drowns.
[Illustration: NO. 2, OR FOX TRAP.]
This trap, the No. 2, has a spread of jaws of 4 7/8 inches, being the
same as No. 1 /2, but having two springs, it is, of course, much
stronger. This size is commonly known as the "Fox Trap." This trap
is often used for taking badger, fisher and coyote.
Trappers sometimes remove one spring and use it for large coon,
woodchuck and even for fox as some think with two springs the trap is
too strong.
[Illustration: NO. 3, OR OTTER TRAP.]
This, the No. 3, has a spread of jaws of 5 1/2 inches. It is
designated as the "Otter Trap." It is a very powerful trap and will
hold almost any game smaller than a bear.
This trap is used for taking beaver and also to some extent for small
wolves and coyotes.
[Illustration: NO. 4, OR WOLF TRAP.]
This, the No. 4, has a spread of jaws of 6 1/2 inches. This is the
regular form of Wolf Trap. It is longer than the No. 3 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 extensively used
for trapping the wolves and coyotes in the western stock raising
regions.
[Illustration: NO. 2 1/2, OR OTTER TRAP WITH TEETH.]
This, the No. 2 1/2, has a spread of jaws of 6 1/2 inches. This is a
single spring trap as shown. In some localities the otter grows to an
unusual size, with great proportional strength, so that the
manufacturers have been led to produce an especially large and strong
pattern. The parts are heavier than the No. 3, the spread of jaws is
greater and the spring stiffer.
The jaws are equipped with teeth to keep the otter from getting free
when once caught. The pan is also furnished with a raised plate which
can be taken off if desired.
[Illustration: NO. 3 1/2, OR EXTRA STRONG OTTER TRAP.]
This, the No. 3 1/2, has a spread of jaws of 5 inches. This trap is
for otter, but is used more especially for catching them 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. If desired, the raised
plate can be detached, making the trap one of general utility.
[Illustration: NO. 21 1/2, WITHOUT TEETH.]
Single Spring No. 21 1/2 has a spread of jaws of 5 1/4 inches. This
trap is the same as No. 2 1/2 but is without teeth or Raised Plate as
some trappers prefer it in this style.
No. 31 1/2 Newhouse Trap is also a single spring being same as No. 3
1/2 but without Teeth or Raised Plate. Spread of jaws 6 1/2 inches.
These traps, Nos. 21 1/2 and 31 1/2, are the largest smooth jaw,
single spring sizes that are made. Professional trappers will find
them especially valuable when on a long trapping line, as they are
more compact and easier to secrete than double spring traps. The
springs on these traps are made extra heavy.
The No. 21 1/2 is practically a single spring No. 3 and the No. 31
1/2 a single spring No. 4. These traps are used for such animals as
otter, beaver, wolf, wolverine, fisher and have been known to catch
and hold Mountain Lion.
[Illustration: OFFSET JAW BEAVER TRAP.]
This trap is known as No. 14 and has a spread of jaws of 6 1/2
inches. This trap is the same in size as No. 4 Wolf but has heavier
and stiffer springs and offset jaws, which allow the springs to raise
higher when the animals leg is in the trap, and it is furnished with
teeth sufficiently close to prevent the animal from pulling its foot
out. The weight of this style is about 3 1/2 pounds each.
[Illustration: DETACHABLE CLUTCH TRAP.]
This trap is known as "Detachable Clutch Trap." The trap can be used
with or without it. It is made in two sizes Nos. 23 and 24. No. 23
known as the "Otter Clutch" has a spread of jaws of 5 1/2 inches; No.
24 known as the "Beaver Clutch" has a spread of jaws of 6 1/4 inches.
[Illustration: NEWHOUSE SPECIAL WOLF TRAP.]
This trap is known as the No. 4 1/2 or "Newhouse Special Wolf Trap."
It was put on the market to meet the demands of trappers for a new
model of the Newhouse Trap especially designed for capturing the
large timber wolves and mountain lions of the stock raising sections
of the West.
This trap has a spread of jaws of 8 inches. It is substantially made
thruout and is provided with a pronged "drag," a heavy snap, an extra
heavy steel swivel and a chain, five feet long, warranted to hold
2,000 pounds. This trap complete with chain and "drag" weighs about 9
pounds.
[Illustration: SMALL BEAR TRAP.]
This trap is known as No. 50, spread of jaws 9 inches. It 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. This trap is also used for
catching Mountain Lion.
[Illustration: SMALL BEAR TRAP WITH OFFSET JAWS.]
This trap is known as No. 150, spread of jaws, 9 inches. It is
similar to No. 50, excepting that the jaws are offset, making a space
five-eights 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. The chance of breaking the bones in the foot are also lessened.
Weight, 11 1/4 pounds each.
[Illustration: STANDARD BEAR TRAP.]
This trap is known as No. 5 or Black Bear. The spread of jaws is 11
3/4 inches. Weight of trap 19 pounds. It is furnished with a very
heavy and strong cable chain.
Bear trappers whether in the Canadian Wilds, the Swamps of the
Southern States or among the Rocky or Appalachian Mountains, speak of
the No. 5 as the Standard Trap. They are used principally for
catching the Black Bear.
[Illustration: REGULAR BEAR TRAP WITH OFFSET JAWS.]
This trap is known as No. 15, spread of jaws 11 3/4 inches. To meet
the views of certain trappers whose judgement 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. This trap weighs about 19 pounds.
[Illustration: GRIZZLY BEAR TRAP.]
This is known as the No. 6 or Grizzly Bear Trap and has a spread of
jaws of 16 inches. It weighs complete, 42 pounds. This is the
strongest trap made. The manufacturers say they have never heard of
anything getting out of it when once caught. It is often called "the
Great Bear Tamer."
This trap is also used in Asia and Africa for catching lions and
tigers. In fact the trap will hold any animal with the exception of
the elephant and it will hold even that animal excepting possibly the
larger ones.
[Illustration: BEAR TRAP CHAIN CLEVIS.]
This cut illustrates Bear Trap 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: STEEL TRAP SETTING CLAMP.]
There is danger attached to setting the large traps when alone in
addition to its being rather difficult, especially in cold weather,
when the fingers are stiff. Should the trapper be in a boat the
setting is still more difficult.
A clamp (as shown) 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, 50,
150, 5, 15 and 6. They do away with the inconvenience and dangerous
use of levers. With clamps a trapper can easily and safely set these
powerful traps. These clamps also come handy about the camp for other
purposes.