Old Town - ID from partial serial #

Girlchild3

Curious about Wooden Canoes
Hello,
I've got my Morris identified now I'd like to know more about my Old Town.
Serial # 713(or 8)36 I think. Could have a 1 as the first number? I didn't see a footage # but it is 17' long with a 35" beam. Whoever tried to get serial # before I had it scraped off more than the old finish.
Thanks so much.
 

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Someone with build records should come along shortly to provide specifics, but for now it appears you have an Old Town Otca from sometime between the late-teens and the early 40s. If I'm seeing correctly, there's a nice chamfer along the upper edge of the inwale, which would suggest your canoe is nearer the early part of that range (just after Old Town started using diamond-headed brass bolts for the seats and thwarts). From the photos you posted, your canoe appears to be in very good condition and should restore nicely. Consider joining the WCHA - great group to learn from and to find like-minded friends. Being from Maine, you'll find lots of knowledgeable folks in your area. If you need local support, check out the Builders and Suppliers directory here:

http://www.wcha.org/builders-and-suppliers-directory

Also, next week is the largest gathering of wooden folks anywhere, and not too far away - Paul Smiths, NY (well, I say not too far because I'm coming all the way from Florida and others will likely come from even farther away!). The WCHA Annual Assembly is a fantastic event, with great fellowship, great numbers of fantastic wooden canoes, and an amazing array of talented builders, restorers and others to learn from.

http://www.wcha.org/annual-assembly

Michael
 
My guess is that the correct number is 71336. This is a 17 foot long, AA (or top) grade, Otca model with red western cedar planking, open mahogany gunwales, mahogany decks, mahogany thwarts, mahogany seats, a keel, and a floor rack. It was built between April and June, 1922. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It shipped on July 19th, 1922 to Fairlee, Vermont. The build record for 71836 is also attached showing a Charles River model with a previous request for a copy of the build record. Scans of these build records can be found by following the links behind the thumbnail images attached below.

71336.jpg 71836.jpg 71836-b.jpg

These scans and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/about-wcha to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/store/membership to join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match the canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Good luck,

Benson
 
Good eye Michael :)
Thank you Benson. I believe it is 71336. I didn't know it was that old. I thought 40's. Aside from a new canvas she doesn't need much.
I am a new member. I would love to go to the assembly but I booked a beach house for that weekend. Perhaps next year.
 
Hey guys, I just bought this from Girlchild3 last week. I was curious about the diamond head bolts... My 1922 Charles River CS has the round countersunk bolts. Would this have the diamond bolts in 22? Was it an AA grade inclusion? Or did they switch over in that year?
 
I was curious about the diamond head bolts... My 1922 Charles River CS has the round countersunk bolts. Would this have the diamond bolts in 22? Was it an AA grade inclusion? Or did they switch over in that year?

The 1922 era appears to be when diamond headed bolts first appeared so this could have had them originally.

Benson
 
Sweet! Benson, thank you! I really like the look of them.

Another puzzle. There are two holes on the stern deck. Any guesses what might have been there. There is some surface wear between the holes that may indicate a backing plate of some sort.
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