I bought a cast eight Newhouse. It does not have a pan and I am guessing it number. It is not on great shape, but does not have pitting. I can not see any stamping on the springs. What can you tell me about them?

You may be correct, it could be a Newhouse, but, with no stamping on the springs and no pan it could also be a Hawley & Norton, Sargent or P.S. & W. The cast figure 8 chain was used on Newhouse traps from about 1872 until around early 1880s, but was used to a lesser extent until the early 1890s.

Thanks snakecollector. I will try to get it cleaned up a little and make sure the springs are not marked. I did not know others used it. Any idea how the cast 8 was made?

The links are cast in a mold, one end has a double loop and is open. Generally starting at the ring the links are threaded together. The last link is put into the cold shut eye of the swivel. Just like the cut link chain,

Mj the trap looks to be a Newhouse. The chain is probably worth more than the trap.

snakecollerctor Putting on my glasses I can see how they go together. It must not be real common, I have never seen much of it.
lots of mink I would believe that. I saw a cast 8 chain sell at a trapping convention. I do not remember how much it brought for sure, but it got my attention enough to watch for it.

Mark, I wonder how that chain held coyotes/wolves? Looks to be very light weight.

I think it would be fine if in good shape, not rust down. It is a neat chain no matter what.

The deer traps used a heavy gauge cast eight chain than shown in the picture above. It was heavy enough to hold wolves.