Four Old Paddles

[Paul Scheuer]

I have four old paddles that came to me with the acquisition of what I now believe is a Morris Molitor with open gunnels (with Katheryn’s help), twenty-five years ago. I have since refinished them. There were no labels, decals, stamps or stickers on any of them that I could find.
The photo below shows the four paddles as received. They were obviously old when I got them twenty-five years ago. I have this image scanned from a print at 1200 dpi, and probably have a 35 mm negative somewhere in my stuff, that I could blow up for more detail. The additional photos their present condition. I have more, closer pics, that I will post later.

Here is a table of the information I have gathered. Any help in identifying the manufacturer would be appreciated.

Paddle Details
1. Tall Paddle – 66 ½ inches long, 6 7/8 blade width, 10.5 mm thickness, 1 lb 13 oz., 1-1/16 x 1-¼ oval shaft, top grip 3-1/8 in.
2. Similar Paddle – 63 ¼ inch, 7 inch blade width, 9.2 mm thickness, 1 lb. 14 oz., 1-7/32 in dia. Shaft, top grip 3-1/16 in., recessed finger grip.
3. Wide Paddle - 65 ½ inches long, 7 ¾ blade width, 6.85 mm thickness, 2 lb, 7 oz., 1 ¼ in dia. Shaft, top grip 3 in..
4. Small Grip Paddle – 59 ½ inches long. 6 ¼ inch blade width, 10.3 mm thickness, 1 lb., 13 oz., 1-3/16 in. dia. Shaft, top grip 2-1/2 in..

 

[Paul Scheuer]

Paddle 1 shows distinctive grain at the top grip. Of the four this one has the widest top grip, and is light weight.
1. Tall Paddle – 66 ½ inches long, 6 7/8 blade width, 10.5 mm thickness, 1 lb 13 oz., 1-1/16 x 1-¼ oval shaft, top grip 3-1/8 in.

 

[Paul Scheuer]

Paddle 2 has a top grip that is different than the others, with an edge where the fingers would grip.
2. Similar Paddle – 63 ¼ inch, 7 inch blade width, 9.2 mm thickness, 1 lb. 14 oz., 1-7/32 in dia. Shaft, top grip 3-1/16 in., recessed finger grip.

 

[Paul Scheuer]

Paddle 3 has what appears to me to be a wider blade than normal. It is also heavier than paddle 1 which is longer. The is almost no visible grain at the top grip. This paddle originally had a dark varnish/stain as shown in the "as received" view above.
3. Wide Paddle - 65 ½ inches long, 7 ¾ blade width, 6.85 mm thickness, 2 lb, 7 oz., 1 ¼ in dia. Shaft, top grip 3 in.

 

[Paul Scheuer]

Paddle 4 is small and delicate, made for small hands. It was originally light color,, and was stained and varnished by me, years ago.
4. Small Grip Paddle – 59 ½ inches long. 6 ¼ inch blade width, 10.3 mm thickness, 1 lb., 13 oz., 1-3/16 in. dia. Shaft, top grip 2-1/2 in..

 

[Paul Miller]

I vote Willits Bros for paddle #1, I have to dig one out and take some pictures and measurements, but that handle is a match. They only made otter tail paddles just like the picture.

Paul

 

[Paul Scheuer]

Thanks Paul.
I'm working on trying to identify the wood used on the four. My scheme is to get the density from the ratio of the buoyant displacement (weight) to the submerged displacement (volume). I can get the balance points, if any of that helps in identification. Paddle 3, the wide one, seems to be the odd one. It has different wood, heavier, wide blade. It also has what appears to be circular insert or imprint at the top of the grip, 13/16 in. dia.

 

[Jan Bloom]

Paul, where in Illinois are you? If you are in Northern IL or the Chicago area you could just run up to Madison WI to the US Forest Products Lab and have the wood identified.

 

[chris pearson]

I'll take door number 4 please....

 

[Paul Scheuer]

Jan: What's the process ? Do I just show up with the stuff ?
Chris: Number 4 is cute, but a little short.

 

[Jan Bloom]

Look the Lab up on line to get a phone number and call them.