Does anybody recognize this serial number 'style'? I believe the number is 16-4615, with the dash as a horizontal 1. The canoe was found in Dryden, Ontario and purchased by a friend, who is curious about the possible maker. The number is located on the inner gunwale. The canoe is 14'8" long (perhaps the '15' in the number?) and has a beam of 36". I can add a few more photos if that would help at all. The heart-shaped deck might also be a clue.
need a clue! - serial number...maker?
- Thread starter GOT
- Start date
A serial number and deck shape alone are not enough to identify this canoe. The inner gunwale is not a common location for serial numbers and there are no known serial number records available for any of the Canadian builders. Heart shaped decks were common with many builders including Chestnut and Peterborough. Can you provide any more pictures? Thanks,
Benson
Benson
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Hard to be sure, but it looks like there is a rail cap over the inner gunwale. If so, it could point to one of the "Huron" builders.
Andre Cloutier
Firestarter. Wicked Firestarter.
It’s for sure a Huron
Thanks to all who have responded to my question! I don't own the canoe but am asking for a friend in Saskatchewan who bought it in Dryden, Ontario. As requested, here are a few more photos the owner forwarded to me:
There is a rail cap on the inner gunwale. I re-posted the serial number located on the inner gunwale just behind the bow seat. The bow seat is made from rawhide but the stern seat looks like it's been re-caned with rattan. The owner was in the process of removing the old canvas, and you can see the rot in the bow stem that was revealed. I see from the comments that there is a leaning towards a Huron maker. If there is anything more specific that a photo might reveal, just ask and I'll request it! Thanks again for any observations you have and want to share. The owner says the canoe was refurbished 14 years ago, according to the previous owner, so it's been around for a while. Sitting upside down on a wet surface perhaps?
Gary
Canoe Grampa
Hi I have restored a few Hurons and I would agree with the previous assessments that this was one of the Huron builders. The wide planking, with gaps, the heart shaped decks, rail cap, and even the length at 14' 8" all match the last one I did. These builders shared forms with each other and although they didn't make a perfectly refined canoe these canoes paddle beautifully and with care will last as long as any other cedar canvas canoe. There are sites which explain more on the builders. The only confusing item is the serial number? I've never seen a Huron with one but this may have been added later by the owner to help identify it as theirs?
Enjoy it, Gary
Enjoy it, Gary
