Mystery models

Benson Gray

Canoe History Enthusiast
Staff member
Two models have appeared recently that made me wonder what manufacturers (if any) they are intending to represent. The first one at http://www.ebay.com/itm/291476326927 seems quite roughly constructed. The keelson may indicate that it was just a home made project that has no connection to any manufacturer. The deck pattern is very unusual and I can't see an obvious connection between it an any of the decks shown at http://dragonflycanoe.com/wood-canoe-identification-guide/features-decks/ on Dan's page.

The other shown at http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/-1-c-2994595AED is much more interesting to me. It seems much more carefully made and has all of the obvious characteristics of an Indian Old Town Canoe Company model (i.e. rails running past the stems and arched heart shaped decks). The information at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?4641&p=26463#post26463 indicates that they may have made models but I'm not aware of any that have ever been positively identified. This example probably had seats originally since there are long nails through the rails in the correct locations. The bow quarter thwart remains but there are only nail holes left in the location of the stern quarter thwart. I can see no indication that it ever had a bow carry thwart like a Carleton.

What manufacturers do these look like in your opinion?

Benson
 
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The eBay one reminds me of a show I once watched about 'antique" furniture that was being made in the Philippines. It was made then scraped, weathered, buried under ground for a few days. All in an attempt to pass off elaborate fakes. The stain on that one on eBay kind of looks like the stain on the sellers deck. Wonder if he is just trying to make a quick $2900? Is that price for real? 'rare, original and I don't know who made it' raises some red flags in my mind. The second looks more legit. Cracks in varnish. More fine detailed wood work as in no rough saw marks. If that eBay one is for real no wonder they went out of business and its unidentifiable. They even scuffed up the canvas at the ends as if it were a real canoe that had been damaged by a rough life in the river. But... The paint and varnish look new.
 
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Looking at the final photo for the first canoe, you can see (probably) circular saw marks on the top of the inwale, so crudely made. And the outwale is just a flat strip of wood, showing the top of the planking and fabric. Nobody built boats that way. Is there a chance that the canvas is NOT canvas? No stemband. Can't imagine any real manufacturer wanting to show off such a crudely made model. Tom McCloud
 
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