The leading M usually means that you need to add 100,000 to find the correct serial number as described at
http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?5617 from a similar canoe. The Kennebec with serial number 101403 is an 18 foot long "Kineo Special" model shown on pages 242 of volume four in the Kennebec ledgers. It was planked by Roy on December 11th, 1926. The canvas covering was applied by Grant on December 18th, 1926 and Gilbert applied the first filler coat on the same day.
Roy applied the second filler coat on May 28th, 1927. It was railed by McInnis on June 4th, 1927. The original body color is not clear but it appears to have had a blue border stripe. It shipped on June, 25th 1927 to location "27-305". 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). I hope that you will join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See
http://www.wcha.org/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and
http://www.wcha.org/join.php to join.
It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. Is the original design still showing and can you attach a picture? My guess is that the number four on the bow deck is probably from a summer camp or a canoe livery. There are two Kennebec decals shown at
http://dragonflycanoe.com/wood-canoe-identification-guide/features-builders-plates-and-decals/ including one that may be similar to yours. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.
Benson
