what were these traps intended to catch? seem to be somewhat lightly constructed and rounded jaws don't seem like they would hold very well

They were trail traps would be set in a game trail, long jaws have more area for catching critters,some say turkeys ect

yeah heard maybe turkeys....

They were not for turkeys. There ad says that the #1 is for Muskrat and Ermine, #2 for Mink and Martian, #3 for Beaver and Coon and #7 for Wolf and Coyote and large animals. I don't think that it would hold a large wolf. They say that the long pan is to prevent over step.

odd that those adds don't list a number 5

produced in #1, #2, #3, #5, #7, and #9. The #9s are the hardest of the series and most expensive to come by, especially the 1st model #9 with the #3 pan and still having Thingstads name on the pan with Nelson and Boode. There was also a plant in Windsor Ont. which produced from #1 to #7. I was told by a Canadian Collector that a #9 was never produced at the Canadian plant. I have never seen a Canadian #9 as well as I have not heard of anyone having one in their collection.

Great info Dean and Bruce

The numbers were in the wrong order.
Right to left.
#1 on top
#2 under the #1
#3
#5
#7
#9