Kineo Special - No. M 1403

knubud

Wooden Canoeist
Just started working on a 18ft Kineo Special. There is a rectangular brass tag on the stern deck. Says it is a Kineo Special No.M 1403 - the 1403 is stamped. Kennebec Boats and Canoes Co. Waterville Maine U.S.A.

It has been glassed, a number 4 is painted on the bow deck - camp canoe? - and there appears to be a decal of some sort - rectangular/oval with maybe a red canoe on it? - also on the bow deck. Short caps cover the tops of the ribs only at the decks, the rest is open gunwale.
 

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My 1920 Kennebec Torpedo , #13770, has an oval tag. It also has the deck gunwale covered. See photo. My tag was on the stern, I assumed it was moved to install a lantern in front. Anybody have a spare lantern?
 

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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
 

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One decal on Dan's list looks like the one on the bow deck - Kennebec Canoe Company decal, 1927-1943

Thanks again - Bud
 
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