Your canoe was likely built by the Canadian Canoe Co in Peterborough sometime between 1939 and 1960. The four digit number (4278) is the work order number and the two digit number (45) is the model number. The model #45 tells us that your canoe is a trapper model called "Patrol" 16' x 34" x 12".
The records for the company was destroyed after the bankruptcy in 1961.
Thanks for the quick response Dick. I appreciate your knowledge and the information you were able to provide on the old Peterborough. It's a shame about the records being destroyed.
Happy paddling!