Kennebec Seiral number

[Canoe Ron]

I recently obtained a 17' kennebec with a serial number following the 17" mark of 10304 there is possible a 0 following the 4 put both stems are in very bad shape.

 

[Dan Miller]

The Kennebec with number 10304 is a 17' Square Stern, so probably not it.

The one with 103040 is a 17' Kineo Special. It was built between March, 1931 and June, 1931. The color it was painted was not indicated. It was shipped June 20, 1931 to 31-433 - we don't have a way to crack that code, but it was probably a retailer, or perhaps a camp, as at least one other canoe was shipped to the same customer the same day.

 

[Canoe Ron]

The Kennebec with number 10304 is a 17' Square Stern, so probably not it.

The one with 103040 is a 17' Kineo Special. It was built between March, 1931 and June, 1931. The color it was painted was not indicated. It was shipped June 20, 1931 to 31-433 - we don't have a way to crack that code, but it was probably a retailer, or perhaps a camp, as at least one other canoe was shipped to the same customer the same day.

Thanks Dan. it is not square sterned so the Kineo was the correct serial number. Was not really sure of the last 0 as both stems are deteriated but the first numbers were correct.

 

[Dan Miller]

103043, 103046, and 103049 are also 17' Kineo Specials - the others in the 10403X series are 16'. They are all sequential in the ledger, so details will be similar. 103049 has half ribs, so you should be able to rule that one in or out.

 

[Canoe Ron]

Dan,
in a few weeks I will try some other ideas to confirm the last number but I will bet it is 0. The 9 can be ruled out as there are no half ribs. the original color was probably Green as the person who removed the canas said it was green and there is green paint on it. Thanks for the information. and is there any information on the materials of construction?

 

[Dan Miller]

The Kineo Special model was offered in a single grade. Per the catalog (1931 page attached) the rails are spruce. The decks, thwarts and seats are probably native hardwoods - oak, ash, maple, etc. The canoe itself will tell you.

 

[Canoe Ron]

The Kineo Special model was offered in a single grade. Per the catalog (1931 page attached) the rails are spruce. The decks, thwarts and seats are probably native hardwoods - oak, ash, maple, etc. The canoe itself will tell you.

Thanks for the information. This is what I expected.
Ron

 

[Canoe Ron]

Is there a build record for 103040? I have confirmed the serial number.

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome back, yes, the Kennebec canoe with serial number 103040 is shown on pages 280 and 281 of volume five in the Kennebec ledgers and was assigned to an 17 foot long Kineo Special model. It was planked by Gilbert on March 14th, 1931. F. Thib. applied the canvas covering and the first filler coat on April 4th, 1931. C. Thib. applied the second filler coat on June 6th, 1931. It was railed by Roy on June 20th, 1931. The "F 22" (Function number 22 or the keel?), "F 24" (Function number 24 or the finish work), and "F 28" (Function number 28 or the painting) were completed by Thib. on the same day. The original color was not recorded as Dan mentioned. It was packed by Pooler and shipped to location "31-433" on June 20th, 1931. This location is probably an order number but we don't currently have enough information to identify it. The scans of these build records can be found by following the links at the attached thumbnail images below. These original Kennebec records are reproduced through the courtesy of the Maine State Museum.



The microfilms and scans of these records were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA). A description of the project to preserve other records like these 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 http://www.wcha.org/about-wcha to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/store/membership to renew.

More information about this and other Kennebec models can be found in the Kennebec catalogs contained on the Historic Wood Canoe and Boat Company Catalog Collection available from http://www.wcha.org/store/historic-wood-canoe-and-boat-company-catalog-collection in the WCHA store.

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

Benson