I've got several of these sls #4 Newhouse, but one has a double stamp on the pan, a 2 over the 4 or vice versa. It is definitely a #4. Springs are stamped, but no standing bears. The top of the E is also missing on all six traps. What years were these made and is the double stamping common at the time?

Well, since none of the Newhouse experts has answered, I would offer the following: The Oneida Community marked traps were likely made between 1905 and 1925(I cannot see pat dates on the pans and if that is correct they were likely made between 1905 and 1911, if there ARE dates, they were made in 1911 or later) and were no doubt originally double long springs. The pans were marked 4 and the pans were slightly tilted when struck so the right sides(the E, number, NY and the last few letters of Community) were lightly struck. I would guess that the 2 was hand stamped by some one after they removed one spring and he thought that would make the trap a 2.

Thanks for your input. There are no patent dates on any of them, and all 6 are single springs. I used them for beaver in late 70's, still very strong. Newhouse didn't offer a SLS #4?

Very cool traps! Check the jaw post on the one with the double stamp, and see if both jaw posts are the same size or if one is slightly bigger. The reason you want to check the jaw post is Newhouse made a 24. Most were stamped simply 4. However, some were stamped 24. If you have one of these traps then you have a high dollar trap even though it doesn't have the clutches. I own a #3 that had 23 stamped on the pan, but the two has been crossed out. Greg

Thanks cascade, your answer reminded me of another oddity on this trap that you can see in the photo. This "dog" is not on any of the other traps, however, there is a slight protrusion in the same location which I assumed was just a casting mark. The jaw post is no different..

Any input would be appreciated, manufacturing flaw or is there a purpose ?

The protrusion on the jaw is were they poured the jaws in casting. When they removed the jaws from the molds there was a long piece of metal attached there were the molten metal was poured in. They then just snap that piece off of the jaw. Usually it would break off some what clean but yours just left a bit attached and they did not bother to clean it up further. If you look at the other jaw on the other end of the trap, you will see a casting mark there as well.

Thank you sir, I thought so , but after reading Cascade's post, and never seeing a Newhouse with the clutch, it made me wonder. Did NH offer these traps as a single long spring? Cohunt says they were definitely double longs.

Yes, You could get them with only one spring. You can look at the base around the jaw pot, the spring will wear a circle mark on the base and will be evident if the spring is removed. If there is no mark then there may not have been a spring.

I will be very interested to see the advertising where Oneida Community offered #4 size traps with single or double springs.

cohunt, you are right. I collect Oneida Community trap ads and catalogs and I have over 200 of them. I have not seen were they offered #4 Newhouse with only one spring. But they were in the market to sell traps and I think that if someone would have special ordered them that way, they would have filled the order. I really don't think it was common or that there would have been much reason for it. That said, they did make the #31 1/2 for a short time which is basically a #4 with one spring. They did not make the #31 1/2 for very long so it was obviously not a popular trap.

The 31 1/2 is sure a special trap and one of those traps that make collecting fun. Newhouse had the habit of pairing the toothed traps with a plain jaw version in the 2 1/2--21 1/2 and 3 1/2--31 1/2s. The 21 1/2 obviously sold better than the larger version but both were really a trap without a purpose. Double long springs just did a better job and, in the case of bolted down jaw Newhouses, could easily be converted to single springs if one wanted to experiment.

Once again, thank you for your input and for passing on your knowledge.

While visiting with a former trapper I saw several more of these exact same traps. Like mine, there is no evidence of them once being a double long spring. I acquired mine in NY and the ones I just saw were purchased by the owner in Alaska many years ago. I was surprised to find 4 more just like mine at opposite ends of the country, especially since they weren't advertised.