I have one #3 duke in my arsenal of duke#2's and bridger dogless2 and 3 550's. Here awhile back I was able to get a dozen for 10bucks a trap with free shipping. I was expecting to have to spend some time with them rounding the sharp edges off the jaws and squaring up the dog and such like I had to do with my 2's years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the jaws already have a small radius on them. Other than adding a center swivel with new chain and leveling out the pan I got them cleaned up waxed and ready to go. And it might just be me but I think the frame is just a little beefer compared to my older #3. For center swivel base plate I have the bob custer bender and make them out of 20d nails
J

I haven't looked at the news ones but the only thing I have done with them is to shrink the dog eye down to have less travel. Then level the pan.

They are my go to trap when the snow starts to get deeper. About the largest jaw spread legal in NY. I do base plate them, replace the chain and swivels and attach to the D ring on the base plate. I switch out the Duke dog for a HD dog and nightlatch it. I also add a 3rd spring which I do on all my traps anyway.

That's a new one for me what's with the 3rd spring

Made them come up faster through soil but still easy enough for an old man like me to set them. lol I actually started doing it 20 years ago on traps that had the springs weaken. Worked so well, I never stopped doing it.

Great concept!
I may do that on my coyote traps next year if weak #1.5 springs will fit.
Have a bunch setting around for no reason