what makes it different from a regular #3 newhouse? what is the "clutch" part?

Jaw post is wider to accept clutches that drop in through spring eye and connect to jaw post pins. Grabs them by the chest so to speak. Clutches are detachable to use as a regular foothold trap.

is this what you are talking about?

Yes, that part of the trap.The picture is of a standard jaw post, however.

ok. thanks for the info.

Go to page 4. I have some picture there where you can see a clutch post, as well as the clutches.

holy cow you got some traps Nhousecattrapper! always wanted a large bear trap. never thought much about traps till recently I traded for some 3n's and really liked them. I either overlooked the trap with the clutch post or still don't know what i'm looking for.

How do you know the post in the picture is the standard jaw post as opposed to the clutch post? I know the clutch post is wider, and the standard should be more narrow, but it looks like the one in the picture has plenty of room for the clutch?

I was comparing my trap to one selling on eBay. I don't know what I'm looking for, but it looked identical to mine.

Longbow, Add a pic that shows both posts and we could give a better opinion.
I'm kind of leaning towards Skortnigs thoughts on it.

here is the other side

its hard for me to tell. I have a #4 clutch that is nice and wide at the jaw post--I guess I haven't seen mine without the clutch installed though.

I would love to see a pic or two of your trap, skorittnig1977!

Hard to tell through pictures, however a tape measure or dial calipers will tell the truth. Standard width jaw post is 1/2 in. clutch post about 5/8. . Could you post a picture of the pan and a perfect side view of trap.

hope this helps

just sittin here thinking and you meant 1/2 inch the other way? it does measure 1/2 inch on the other side. thanks

Longbow, with that Pat date pan on it, that tells the story in saying it is not. roztocki meant to measure across the front of the posts at the top, not the side

gotcha. thanks a lot for the help guys. really appreciate it.

Very nice trap. Just a note, the chain should be on the other spring. Great spring stamps too.

Thanks Snake! It's one of my favorite trips that I own.

Very nice clutch trap Shay. I always did like the Newhouse Clutch Trap series. Like Dean said, the chain should come off the other spring.

Thanks for showing us a really beautiful trap.

X2 - Does anyone have pics showing how the clutches lock in place?

Some are pinned in permanent,Most have hook in clutches.You depress spring hold with a clamp,slip one clutch in then other one.AS long as spring has tension on them they stay in.Most trappers took them off , and tossed them.Sargent also made clutch trap.