Chestnut serial number

davelanthier

Wooden Canoes are in the Blood
I just acquired a 14' Chestnut with a very legible 4 digit serial number of 4866. I was advised that the later Chestnuts have a 5 digit serial number where as a 4 digit signifies an early Chestnut canoe. Can anyone confirm or clarify? Unfortunately it no longer has the original decks. Specifications include: 14'L x 31"W x 13"D, 3" planking, 1.5" ribs spaced 1.5" apart, one thwart.
 

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Chestnut serial numbers....any info?

I don't have an answer to your question, but thought maybe it would help to piggyback on your post. I too have a Chestnut, but with serial # 80035...22 ft Ogilvy Alex model...I have no clue how old it is, but would love to know at least what decade it was made? Anyone out there have a Chestnut with four or five digit serial numbers and some other proof of age to make a correlation?
 
There's good information on early Chestnuts on Dan's Dragonfly canoe I.D. site. A very old Chestnut will resemble a Morris, with heart-shaped deck... but decks can be replaced, so go to this website http://dragonflycanoe.com/id/ and click on "Chestnut" on the left and match details of the pre-fire Chestnut to your canoe... and let us know what you think! Meanwhile, someone who knows Canadian canoes may chime in...

Kathy
 
If you check out Dan's site as Kathryn suggests, the SN's really don't tell you much. I have SN#16153, a " PAL" that was built in 1960 and the only reason I know that, is the letter from the factory confirming the sale and also a title.

Not sure if this helps.

Ric
 
Beam and depth measure according to charts...

Thanks for the guidance thus far:

If someone could tell me exactly how the beam and depth of the canoe is/were measured, at least I could tell if it was made between 1932 and 1967 or between 1967 and 1978....because there is supposed to be an inch difference...or maybe individual boats were built too variable for that method to be accurate?
 
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