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Oneida Newhouse Number 15 Bear Trap

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Oneida Newhouse Number 15 Bear Trap
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For your consideration in this lot is a Oneida Newhouse Number 15, single spring bear trap. The Number 15 is a variation of the Number 5 trap, but utilizing offset teeth. By the early 1900's, the Oneida Community was the worlds largest animal trap manufacture, with 2 out of 3 traps bearing the Newhouse or Victor name. Newhouse traps are the brainchild of blacksmith Sewell Newhouse. Sewell was born in Brattleboro, Vermont in 1806, and moved to Oneida County, in up-state New York at 14 years of age. Newhouse crafted his first trap of scrap metal, found in his fathers workshop at the age of 17. It was in 1849 Sewell was approached by John Humphreys Noyes - Creator of an experimental communal living venture, which was intended to save mankind. The commune was based on the idea that a perfect life could only be achieved if people sacrificed everything to the communities interest. By 1855, the Newhouse steel traps created such a demand that the community leaders decided to begin manufacturing on a production scale. The pan on this trap reads; "S. Newhouse - Oneida Community N.Y. - No. 15", attributing its manufacture to the early 1900's. The trap shows good condition overall. The trap measures 24" long, with a 4" pan.