Was the chain and dog knot stake standard or an option and did the chain attach to the stake with a lap link?
Recently picked this one up and it's my first with the full chain and stake. While I'm here, what might it be worth? Property of US on frame. US on both jaws and it has a USDA APHIS ADC tag. Very sound and strong.

That chain setup and stake was not the 3N standard set up. Most like a custom order for a certain agency.

10bands, I've had a few 3Ns with that style chain. I think it was a government special order and most likely a western branch. I don't think the stakes were an ATC product but were pretty much the standard stake for the government trappers out west. "IN MY OPINION" Your set up looks correct to me. I would rather not quote a value but I like the fact its got an APHIS tag. Here is a chain setup similar to yours that came off a 3N......Dale

Thanks DiggerDale and wissmiss, I knew I'd seen pics of this chain/stake set up but couldn't remember the details. Looks like we have the same set up so maybe it's the way it was done. Was mostly curious about the lap link stake attachment because that could be done any time. The mid chain swivel is pretty nice. Probably way too expensive to produce now.

Here's a pic of the tag in case anyone is interested.

I have had several of these traps over the years and have seen several different setups on them. 2 traps on one drag,A dogKnot stake with the same setup laplink on the 30 in. ch, A short chain rig like the one shown,but without the dogKnot stake.I have 5 of these right now. The lap link does not bind on the smooth stake,like a washer would.So it does help preventing "jacking out the stake".I traded some lumber for a big box of #3Ns A they were all new unstamped and all different setups,and all with the lap links on the end of the chain to the stake,if it had one. a crappy s hook connected to the drags.I even had one with twinloop from the factory.

The dog knot was made in colorado by Mike Airas (m s on the last name). The laplink and the stake didnt come on the trap but the gov trappers all used them I think