victor traps ID help

I found a few victor traps in my Great Grandparents old barn. I'd love some info on them














The longsprings are all 4 1/4 in jaw spread and the coilspring is 5 3/8 inches

The ones with the bowtie looking chains are probably older Oneida Community traps and one looks like it has the ribbed cast jaws. Others are Animal trap Co. models and should be out there catching critters.

I noticed it had a date stamped on the pan. Says May 30.07 I think. Would that be 1907?

Yes, that would be 1907.

However, that date has very little to do with the date the trap was made. Rather, it refers to the patent date of a certain feature of the trap.

In this case, May 28.07 ( May 28, 1907) is the patent date of the humped cross - a common feature on many Victor traps, and other brands as well.

Thanks for the info. Do the ones that DiggerDale referenced as possible oneida community traps hold any collectable worth beyond there sentimental value?

In my opinion, not really much collector value. If the traps with the OC pans were in super nice condition, then there would be a slight collector value. Truth is that, even though the OC traps are 90 plus years old (last made in 1925), they are still really common. Over the years that trap was in production, there were several million, if not more of them made.

Thanks wissmiss maybe I'll use one to catch something just for the heck of it then clean them up and hang em in the shed for nostalgia. Whats the best way to clean them up but leave the patina?

If you want to keep the patina, I would wash them in warm soapy water, using an old toothbrush to remove loose rust and dirt. Then dry thoroughly. And that is it.

Using vinegar or muratic acid or such chemicals will remove the patina.