Old Town

Hi Annie,

Yes, but I may need some more information to confirm the correct one. The Old Town record for 9726 shows a 16 foot long Charles River model with closed gunwales that shipped in 1909. The Carleton record shows a 19 foot long Carleton model with open gunwales that shipped in 1913. The Kennebec record shows an 18 foot long Kennebec model with sponsons that shipped in 1918.

Can you determine if there may be any hidden digits in this serial number? There are two 18 foot Old Town canoes that shipped to New Hampshire during 1928 in the 9726x range. Four digit numbers are unusual as you probably know. Please post some pictures of the serial numbers from each end and surround areas. It would also be interesting to see some showing the bow deck, the interior features, and to confirm the extreme overall length in a straight line. Thanks,

Benson



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Hi Benson,
Thanks for your help. I've attached couple photos I've been sent by the owner. It's not yet in my shop so I'm working with limited information myself. The decks do appear to be the Old town shape. I think I might see an additional 1 at the end of the serial number stamp. So, it could possibly be #97261? I've been told it also has an 18 stamped into the stem and has been verified to be 18' long.
 

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My guess is that this is probably the Old Town with serial number 97261. It is an 18 foot long, GS (Guide's Special or utility) grade, Guide model with red western cedar planking, open spruce gunwales, ash decks, ash thwarts, ash seats, and a keel. It was built between January and June, 1928. The exterior paint color was G. S. (Guide's Special) blue with the letters "R C" in gold on the right side of the bow. It shipped on June 25th, 1928 to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. A scan showing this build record can be found below.

This scan and several hundred thousand others were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others as you probably know well. 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 donate, join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See https://www.woodencanoe.org/about to learn more about the WCHA and https://www.woodencanoe.org/shop to donate or join.

It is 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.

Benson



97261.jpg
 
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